THE  CAPTAIN 


OF  THE 


JANIZARIES 


"  Your  swarthy  hero  Scanderbeg, 
Gauntlet  on  hand  and  boot  on  leg, 
And  skilled  in  every  warlike  art, 
Riding  through  his  Albanian  lands, 
And  following  the  auspicious  star 
That  shone  for  him  o'er  Ak-Hissar" 
LONGFELLOW 


THE   CAPTAIN    OF   THE    JANIZARIES 


A  STORY  OF  THE  TIMES  OF  SCANDERBEG 

AND 

THE  FALL  OF  CONSTANTINOPLE 


BY  JAMES  M.  LUDLOW,  D.D.,  LiTT.D 


ELEVENTH   EDITION 


NEW   YORK   AND   LONDON 

HARPER    &    BROTHERS    PUBLISHERS 
1900 


Copyright,  1886,  by  DODD,  MEAD  &  Co. 


Copyright,  1890,  by  JAMES  M.  LUDLOW. 


EUctrotypfd  by  Dodd,  Mead  &•  Co. 


PREFACE. 


THE  story  of  the  Captain  of  the  Janizaries  originated, 
not  in  the  author's  desire  to  write  a  book,  but  in  the 
fascinating  interest  of  the  times  and  characters  he  has 
attempted  to  depict.  It  seems  strange  that  the  world 
should  have  so  generally  forgotten  George  Castriot, 
or  Scanderbeg,  as  the  Turks  named  him,  whose  career 
was  as  romantic  as  it  was  significant  in  the  history  of 
the  Eastern  Mediterranean.  Gibbon  assigns  to  him  but 
a  few  brief  pages,  just  enough  to  make  us  wonder  that 
he  did  not  write  more  of  the  man  who,  he  confessed, 
"with  unequal  arms  resisted  twenty-three  years  the 
powers  of  the  Ottoman  Empire."  Creasy,  in  his  history 
of  the  Turks,  devotes  less  than  a  page  to  the  exploits 
of  one  who  "  possessed  strength  and  activity  such  as 
rarely  fall  to  the  lot  of  man,"  "  humbled  the  pride  of 
Amurath  and  baffled  the  skill  and  power  of  his  suc- 
cessor Mahomet."  History,  as  we  make  it  in  events, 
is  an  ever  -  widening  river,  but,  as  remembered,  it  is 
like  a  stream  bursting  eastward  from  the  Lebanons, 
growing  less  as  it  flows  until  it  is  drained  away  in  the 
desert. 

Though  our  story  is  in  the  form  of  romance,  it  is 
more  than  "  founded  upon  fact."  The  details  are  drawn 
from  historical  records,  such  as  the  chronicles  of  the 


2039581 


vi  PREFACE. 

monk  Barletius  —  a  contemporary,  though  perhaps  a 
prejudiced  admirer,  of  Scanderbeg — the  later  Byzantine 
annals,  the  customs  of  the  Albanian  people,  and  scenes 
observed  while  travelling  in  the  East. 

The  author  takes  the  occasion  of  the  publication  of 
a  new  edition  to  gratefully  acknowledge  many  letters 
from  scholars,  as  well  as  notices  from  the  press,  which 
have  expressed  appreciation  of  this  attempt  to  revive 
popular  interest  in  lands  and  peoples  that  are  to  reap- 
pear in  the  drama  of  the  Ottoman  expulsion  from  Eu- 
rope, upon  which  the  curtain  is  now  rising. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 


CHAPTER  I 

the  centre  of  the  old  town  of  Brousa,  in 
1  Asia  Minor — old  even  at  the  time  of  our  story, 
about  the  middle  of  the  fifteenth  century — rises  an 
immense  plateau  of  rock,  crowned  with  the  fortress 
whose  battlements  and  towers  cut  their  clear  outlines 
high  against  the  sky.  An  officer  of  noble  rank  in  the 
Ottoman  service  stood  leaning  upon  the  parapet, 
apparently  regaling  himself  with  the  marvellous  pan- 
orama of  natural  beauty  and  historic  interest  which 
lay  before  him.  The  vast  plain,  undulating  down  to 
the  distant  sea  of  Marmora,  was  mottled  with  fields 
of  grain,  gardens  enclosed  in  hedges  of  cactus, 
orchards  in  which  the  light  green  of  the  fig-trees 
blended  with  the  duskier  hues  of  the  olive,  and  dense 
forests  of  oak  plumed  with  the  light  yellow  blooms  of 
the  chestnut.  Here  and  there  writhed  the  heavy 
vapors  of  the  hot  sulphurous  streams  springing  out  of 
the  base  of  the  Phrygian  Olympus,  which  reared  its 
snow-clad  peak  seven  thousand  feet  above.  The 
lower  stones  of  the  fortress  of  Brousa  were  the  me- 
mentoes of  twenty  centuries  which  had  drifted  by  them 
since  they  were  laid  by  the  old  Phrygian  kings.  The 


2  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

flags  of  many  empires  had  floated  from  those  walls, 
not  the  least  significant  of  which  was  that  of  the  Otto- 
man, who,  a  hundred  years  before,  had  consecrated 
Brousa  as  his  capital  by  burying  in  yonder  mausoleum 
the  body  of  Othman,  the  founder  of  the  Ottoman 
dynasty  of  the  Sultans. 

But  the  Turkish  officer  was  thinking  of  neither  the 
beauty  of  the  scene  nor  the 'historic  impressiveness 
of  the  place.  His  face,  shaded  by  the  folds  of  his 
enormous  turban,  wore  deeper  shadows  which  were 
flung  upon  it  from  within.  He  was  talking  to  himself. 

"  The  Padishah*  has  a  nobler  capital  now  than  this, 
— across  the  sea  there  in  Christian  Europe.  But  by 
whose  hands  was  it  conquered  ?  By  Christian  hands  ! 
by  Janizaries  !  renegades  !  Ay,  this  hand  !  " — he 
stripped  his  arm  bare  to  the  shoulder  and  looked  upon 
its  gnarled  muscles  as  he  hissed  the  words  through 
his  teeth — <•'  this  hand  has  cut  a  wider  swathe  through 
the  enemies  of  the  Ottoman  than  any  other  man's  ;  a 
swathe  down  which  the  Padishah  can  walk  without 
tripping  his  feet.  And  this  was  a  Christian's  hand 
once  !  Well  may  I  believe  the  story  my  old  nurse 
so  often  told  me, — that,  when  the  priest  was  dropping 
the  water  of  baptism  upon  my  baby  brow,  this  hand 
seized  the  sacred  vessel,  and  it  fell  shattered  upon 
the  pavement.  Ah,  well  have  I  fulfilled  that  omen  !  " 

The  man  walked  to  and  fro  on  the  platform  with 
quick  and.  jarring  step,  as  if  to  shake  off  the  grip  of 
unwelcome  thoughts.  There  was  a  majesty  in  his 
mien  which  did  not  need  the  play  of  his  partially  sup- 
pressed fury  to  fascinate  the  attention  of  any  who 
*A  title  of  the  Sultan. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  3 

might  have  beheld  him  at  the  moment.  He  was  tall 
of  stature,  immensely  broad  at  the  shoulders,  deep 
lunged,  comparatively  light  and  trim  in  the  loins,  as 
the  close  drawn  sash  beneath  the  embroidered  jacket 
revealed  :  arms  long  ;  hands  large.  He  looked  as  if 
he  might  wrestle  with  a  bear  without  a  weapon.  His 
features  were  not  less  notable  than  his  form.  His 
forehead  was  high  and  square,  with  such  fulness 
at  the  corners  as  to  leave  two  cross  valleys  in  the 
middle.  Deep-set  eyes  gleamed  from  beneath  broad 
and  heavy  brows.  The  lips  were  firm,  as  if  they  had 
grown  rigid  from  the  habit  of  concealing,  rather  than 
expressing,  thought,  except  in  the  briefest  words  of 
authority, — Caesar-lips  to  summarize  a  campaign  in  a 
sentence.  The  chin  was  heavy,  and  would  have 
unduly  protruded  were  it  not  that  there  were  needed 
bulk  and  strength  to  stand  as  the  base  of  such  prom- 
inent upper  features.  Altogether  his  face  would  have 
been  pronounced  hard  and  forbidding,  had  it  not  been 
relieved  as  remarkably  by  that  strange  radiance  with 
which  strong  intelligence  and  greatness  of  soul  some- 
times transfigure  the  coarsest  features. 

These  peculiarities  of  the  man  were  observed  and 
commented  upon  by  two  officers  who  were  sitting  in 
the  embrasure  of  the  parapet  at  the  farther  end  of  the 
battlement.  The  elder  of  the  two,  who  had  grown 
gray  in  the  service,  addressed  his  comrade,  a  young 
man,  though  wearing  the  insignia  of  rank  equal  to 
that  of  the  other. 

"  Yes,  Bashaw,*  he  is  not  only  the  right  hand  of  the 
Padishah,  but  the  army  has  not  seen  an  abler  soldier 
*  Bashaw  ;  an  old  name  for  pasha. 


4  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

since  the  Ottoman  entered  Europe.  You  know  his 
history  ? " 

"  Only  as  every  one  knows  it,  for  in  recent  years  he 
has  written  it  with  his  cimeter  flashing  through  battle 
dust  as  the  lightning  through  clouds,"  replied  the 
young  officer. 

The  veteran  warmed  with  enthusiasm  as  he  nar- 
rated, "  I  well  remember  him  as  a  lad  when  he  was 
brought  from  the  Arnaout's*  country.  He  was  not 
over  nine  years  of  age  when  Sultan  Mahomet  con- 
quered the  lands  of  Epirus,  where  our  general's 
father,  John  Castriot,  was  duke.  As  a  hostage  young 
George  Castriot  was  brought  with  his  three  brothers 
to  Adrianople." 

"  Are  his  brothers  of  the  same  metal  ?"  asked  the 
listener. 

"  Allah  only  knows  what  they  would  have  been  had 

not  state  necessity "  The  narrator  completed 

the  sentence  by  a  significant  gesture,  imitating  the 
swirl  of  the  executioner's  sword  as  he  takes  off  the 
head  of  an  offender. 

"  But  George  Castriot  was  a  favorite  of  the  Sultan, 
who  fondled  him  as  the  Roman  Hadrian  did  his  beau- 
tiful page,  Antinous.  And  well  he  might,  for  a  lad 
more  lithe  of  limb  and  of  wit  never  walked  the  ground 
since  Allah  bade  the  angels  worship  the  goodly 
form  of  Adam.f  Once  when  a  prize  was  offered  for 
the  best  display  of  armor,  and  the  provinces  were 
represented  by  their  different  champions  in  novel 

*  Arnaout ;  Turkish   for  Albanian,    a  corruption  of    the   old 
Byzantine  word  Arvanitae. 
f  Koran,  Chap.    II. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  5 

helmets  and  corselets  and  shields,  none  of  which 
pleased  the  imperial  taste,  it  was  the  whim  of  the 
Padishah  to  have  young  Castriot  parade  before  the 
judges  panoplied  only  in  his  naked  muscle,  and  to 
order  that  the  prize  should  be  given  to  him,  together 
with  the  title  Iscanderbeg.*  And  well  he  won  it. 
In  the  after  wrestling  matches  he  put  upon  his  hip  the 
best  of  them,  Turcomans  from  Asia,  and  Moors  from 
Africa,  and  Giaoursf  from  the  West.  And  he  was  as 
skilful  on  a  horse's  legs  as  he  was  on  his  own.  His 
namesake,  Alexander,  could  not  have  managed  Bu- 
cephalus better  than  he.  I  well  remember  his  game 
with  the  two  Scythians.  They  came  from  far  to  have 
a  joust  with  the  best  of  the  Padishah's  court.  They 
were  to  fight  singly  :  if  one  were  overthrown,  the 
other,  after  the  victor  had  breathed  himself,  was  to 
redeem  the  honor  of  his  comrade.  Scanderbeg  sent 
his  spear- head  into  the  throat  of  his  antagonist  at  the 
first  encounter,  when  the  second  barbarian  villain 
treacherously  set  upon  him  from  the  rear.  The  young 
champion  wheeled  his  horse  as  quickly  as  a  Dervish 
twists  his  body,  and  with  one  blow  of  his  sword, 
clove  him  in  twain  from  skull  to  saddle." 

"  Bravo  !  "  cried  the  listener,  "  I  believe  it,  for  look 
at  the  arm  that  he  has  uncovered  now." 

"  It  is  a  custom  he  has,"  continued  the  narrator. 
"  He  always  fights  with  his  sword-arm  bared  to  the 
shoulder.  When  he  was  scarce  nineteen  years  old  he 
was  at  the  siege  of  Constantinople,  in  800  of  the 

*  Iscander-Beg  ;  or  The  Lord  Alexander. 
\  Giaours  ;  a  term  of  reproach  by  which  the  Turks  designate 
the  unbelievers  in  Mahomet,  especially  Christians. 


6  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

Hegira,*  with  Sultan  Amurath.  His  skill  there  won 
him  a  Sanjak.f  Since  that  time  you  know  his  career." 

"Ay!  his  squadrons  have  shaken  the  world." 

"  He  has  changed  of  late,  however  ;  grown  heavy 
at  the  brows.  But  he  comes  this  way." 

As  the  general  approached,  the  two  bashaws  bowed 
low  to  the  ground,  and  then  stood  in  the  attitude  of 
profound  obeisance  until  he  addressed  them.  His 
face  gleamed  with  frank  and  genial  familiarity  as  he 
exchanged  with  them  a  few  words  ;  but  it  was  again 
masked  in  sombre  thoughtfulness  as  he  passed  on. 

Near  the  gate  by  which  the  fortress  was  entered 
from  the  lower  town  was  gathered  a  group  of  soldiers 
who  were  bantering  a  strange  looking  creature  with 
hands  tied  behind  him — evidently  some  captive. 

"  What  have  you  here  ?  "  said  Scanderbeg,  ap- 
proaching them. 

"  That  we  cannot  tell.  It  is  a  secret,"  replied  the 
subaltern  officer  in  charge  of  the  squad,  making  a  low 
salam,  and  with  a  twinkle  in  his  eyes  which  took  from 
his  reply  all  semblance  of  disrespect. 

"  But  I  must  have  your  secret,"  said  the  general 
good-naturedly. 

"  It  is  not  our  secret,  Sire,"  replied  the  man,  "  but 
his.  He  will  not  tell  us  who  he  is." 

"  Where  does  he  belong  ?  What  tongue  has  he, 
Aladdin  ?  You  who  were  once  interpreter  to  the  Bey 
of  Anatolia  should  know  any  man  by  his  tongue." 

"  He  has  no  tongue,  Sire.     He  is  dumb  as  a  toad. 

*  800  of  the  Hegira  ;    1422  of  the  Christian  era. 
f  Sanjak  ;  a  military  and   administrative  authority  giving  the 
possessor  command  of  5,000  horse. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  7 

His  beard  has  gone  untrimmed  so  long  that  it  has 
sewed  fast  his  jaws.  He  has  not  performed  his 
ablutions  since  the  last  shower  washed  him,  and  his  ears 
are  so  filled  with  dirt  plugs  that  he  could  not  hear  a 
thunder  clap." 

The  face  of  the  captive  seemed  to  strangely  interest 
the  general,  who  said  as  he  turned  away,  "  Send  him  to 
our  quarters.  The  Padishah  has  taken  a  fancy  to  deaf 
mutes  of  late.  They  overhear  no  secrets  and  tell  no 
tales.  We  will  scrape  him  deep  enough  to  find  if  he 
has  a  soul.  If  he  knows  his  foot  from  his  buttocks  he 
will  be  as  valued  a  present  to  His  Majesty  as  a  fifth 
wife.*  Send  him  to  our  quarters." 

The  general  soon  returned  to  the  fortress.  A  room 
dimly  lighted  through  two  narrow  windows  that 
opened  into  a  small  inner  court,  and  contained  a  divan 
or  couch,  a  table,  and  a  motley  collection  of  arms,  was 
the  residence  of  the  commandant.  A  soldier  stood  by 
the  entrance  guarding  the  unfortunate  captive. 

"You  may  leave  him  with  me,"  said  Scanderbeg 
approaching. 

The  man  was  thrust  into  the  apartment,  and  stood 
with  head  bowed  until  the  guard  withdrew.  The  gen- 
eral turned  quickly  upon  him  as  soon  as  they  were 
alone. 

"  If  I  mistake  not,  man,  though  your  tongue  be 
tied,  your  eye  spake  to  me  by  the  gate." 

"  It  was  heaven's  blessing  upon  my  errand  reflected 
there,"  replied  the  man  in  the  Albanian  language.  "  I 
bearthee  a  message  from  Moses  Goleme,  of  Lower 

*  The  Moslems  are  allowed  four  wives.  Beyond  this  number 
their  women  can  be  only  concubines. 


8  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

Dibria,  and  from  all  the  provinces  of  Albania,  from 
every  valley  and  every  heart." 

"  Let  me  hear  it,  for  I  love  the  very  flints  on  the 
mountains  and  every  pebble  on  the  shore  of  old  Alba- 
nia," replied  Scanderbeg  eagerly. 

"  Heaven  be  praised  !  Were  my  ears  dull  as  the 
stones  they  would  open  to  hear  such  words,"  said  the 
man  with  suppressed  emotion.  "  For  since  the  death 
of  thy  noble  father — " 

"  My  father's  death  !  I  had  not  heard  it.  When  ? " 
exclaimed  the  general. 

"  It  is  four  moons  since  we  buried  him  beneath  the 
holy  stones  of  the  church  at  Croia,  and  the  Sultan  sent 
us  General  Sebaly  to  govern  in  his  stead." 

"  Do  you  speak  true  ? "  cried  Scanderbeg,  laying  his 
hand  upon  the  man's  shoulder  and  glaring  into  his 
face.  "  My  father  dead  ?  and  a  stranger  appointed  in 
his  stead  ?  and  Sultan  Amurath  has  not  even  told  me  ! 
Beware,  man,  lest  you  mistake." 

"  I  cannot  mistake,  Sire,  for  these  hands  closed  the 
eyes  of  John  Castriot  after  he  had  breathed  a  prayer 
for  his  land  and  for  his  son — one  prayer  for  both. 
Moses  Goleme  was  with  us,  for  you  know  he  was  thy 
father's  dearest  friend  and  wisest  counsellor,  and  to 
him  thy  father  gave  charge  that  word  should  be  sent 
thee  that  to  thee  he  bequeathed  his  lands." 

"  Stop  !  Stop  !  "  said  Scanderbeg,  pacing  the  little 
room  like  a  caged  lion.  "  Let  me  think.  But  go  on. 
He  did  not  curse  me,  then  ?  Swear  to  me," — and  he 
turned  facing  the  man — "  swear  to  me  that  my  father 
did  not  curse  me  with  his  dying  breath  !  Swear  it !  " 

"  I  swear  it,"  said  the  man,  "  and  that  all  Albania 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  9 

prays  to-day  for  George  Castriot.  These  are  the  tid- 
ings which  the  noble  Moses  bade  me  bring  thee, 
though  I  found  thee  at  the  Indus  or  under  the  throne 
of  the  Sultan  himself.  I  have  no  other  message. 
That  I  might  tell  thee  this  in  the  free  speech 
of  Albania  I  have  kept  dumb  to  all  others.  If 
it  be  treason  to  the  Sultan  for  thee  to  hear  it,  let 
my  head  pay  the  penalty.  But  know,  Sire,  that  our 
land  will  rest  under  no  other  rule  than  that  of  a 
Castriot." 

"  A  Castriot  !  "  soliloquized  the  general.  "  Well,  it 
is  a  better  name  than  Scanderbeg.  Ho,  guard  !  Take 
this  fellow  !  Let  him  share  your  mess  !  " 

When  alone  the  general  threw  himself  upon  the 
divan  for  a  moment,  then  paced  again  the  apartment, 
and  muttered  to  himself 

"  And  for  what  has  a  Castriot  given  himself  to  the 
Turk  !  Yet  I  did  not  betray  my  land  and  myself. 
They  stole  me.  They  seduced  my  judgment  as  a 
child.  They  flattered  my  conceit  as  a  man.  Like  a 
leopard  I  have  fought  in  the  Padishah's  arena,  and  for  a 
leopard's  pay — the  meat  that  makes  him  strong,  and 
the  gilded  cage  that  sets  off  his  spots.  I  have  led  his 
armies,  for  what  ?  For  glory.  But  whose  glory  ?  The 
Padishah  cries  in  every  emergency,  '  Where  is  my 
Scanderbeg  ?  Scanderbeg  to  the  rescue  ! '  But  it 
means,  '  Slave,  do  my  bidding  ! '  And  I,  the  tinselled 
slave,  bow  my  head  to  the  neck  of  my  steed,  and  the 
empire  rings  with  the  tramp  of  my  squadrons,  and  the 
praise  of  Scanderbeg's  loyalty  !  Pshaw  !  He  calls  me 
his  lightning,  but  he  is  honored  as  the  invisible  Jove 
who  hurls  it.  And  I  am  a  Castriot !  A  Christian  !  Ay, 


10  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

a  Christian  dog,  *  indeed,  to  fawn  and  lick  the  hands 
of  one  who  would  despise  me  were  he  not  afraid  of 
my  teeth.  He  takes  my  father's  lands  and  gives  them 
to  another  ;  and  I — I  am  of  too  little  account  to  be 
even  told  '  Thy  father  is  dead.'  " 

Scanderbeg  paused  in  the  light  that  streamed 
through  the  western  window.  It  was  near  sunset,  and  a 
ruddy  gleam  shot  across  the  room. 

"  This  light  comes  from  the  direction  of  Albania, 
and  so  there  comes  a  red  gleam — blood  red — from 
Albania  into  my  soul." 

He  drew  the  sleeve  of  the  left  arm  and  gazed  at  a 
small  round  spot  tattooed  just  above  the  elbow — the 
indelible  mark  of  the  Janizary. 

"  They  that  put  it  there  said  that  by  it  I  should 
remember  my  vow  to  the  Padishah.  And,  since  I  can- 
not get  thee  out,  my  little  talisman,  I  swear  by  thee 
that  I  shall  never  forget  my  vow  ;  no,  nor  them  that 
made  my  child-lips  take  it,  and  taught  me  to  abjure 
my  father's  name,  my  country's  faith,  and  broke  my 
will  to  the  bit  and  rein  of  their  caprice.  It  may  be 
that  some  day  I  shall  wash  thee  out  in  damned 
Moslem  blood.  But  hold  !  that  would  be  treason. 
Scanderbeg  a  traitor  ?  How  they  will  hiss  it  from 
Brousa  to  Adrianople  ;  from  the  lips  of  Vizier  and  pot- 
carrier  !  But  is  it  treason  to  betray  treason  ?  But 
patience  !  Bide  thy  time,  Castriot  !  " 

A  slight  commotion  in  the  court  drew  the  attention 
of  Scanderbeg.  In  a  moment  the  sentry  announced  : 

"  A  courier  from  His  Majesty  !  " 

The  message  told  that  the  Ottoman  forces  had  been 

*  The  Moslems  call  Christians  dogs. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  II 

defeated  in  Europe — the  noted  bashaw,  Schehadeddin, 
having  been  utterly  routed  by  Hunyades.  The  missive 
called  the  Sultan's  "  always  liege  and  invincible  servant, 
Scanderbeg,  to  the  rescue.!  "  Within  an  hour  a 
splendid  suite  of  officers,  mounted  on  swift  and  gaily 
caparisoned  steeds,  gathered  about  the  great  general, 
and  at  the  raising  of  the  horse-tail  upon  the  spear- 
head, dashed  along  the  road  to  the  coast  of  Marmora 
where  vessels  were  in  waiting  to  convey  them  across  to 
the  European  side.  Scanderbeg  had  but  a  moment's 
interview  with  the  dumb  captive,  sufficient  to  whisper, 

"  Return  our  salutation  to  the  noble  Moses  Goleme  ; 
and  say  that  George  Castriot  will  honor  his  confidence 
better  in  deeds  than  he  could  in  words.  I  know  not 
the  future,  my  brave  fellow,  and  might  not  tell  it  if  I 
did,  even  to  ears  as  deaf  as  yours.  But  say  to  Goleme 
that  Castriot  swears  by  his  beard — by  the  beard  of 
Moses — that  brighter  days  shall  come  for  Albania  even 
if  they  must  be  flashed  from  our  swords.  Farewell  !  " 

The  man  fell  at  the  general's  feet  and  embraced 
them.  Then  rising  he  raised  his  hand,  "  By  the  beard 
of  Moses  !  Let  that  be  the  watchword  between  our 
people  and  our  rightful  prince.  Brave  men  scattered 
from  Adria  to  Hsemus  will  listen  for  that  watchword. 
Farewell,  Sire.  By  the  beard  of  Moses  !  " 

Scanderbeg  summoned  a  soldier  and  said  sternly, 
"  Take  this  fellow  away.  He  is  daft  as  well  as  dumb 
and  deaf.  Yet  treat  him  well.  Such  creatures  are 
the  special  care  of  Allah.  Take  him  to  the  Bos- 
phorus  that  he  may  cross  over  to  his  kin,  the  Greeks, 
at  Constantinople." 


12  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

CHAPTER  II. 

A  LITTLE  hamlet  lay,  like  an  eagle's  nest,  high  on 
the  southern  slope  of  the  Balkan  mountains. 
The  half  dozen  huts  of  which  it  consisted  were  made 
of  rough  stones,  daubed  within  and  without  thick  with 
clay.  The  roofs  were  of  logs,  overlaid  with  mats  of 
brushwood  woven  together  by  flexible  withes,  and 
plastered  heavily.  The  inhabitants  were  goatherds. 
Their  lives  were  simple.  If  they  were  denied  indul- 
gence in  luxuries,  they  were  also  removed  from  that 
contact  with  them  which  excites  desire,  and  so 
were  contented.  They  seldom  saw  the  faces  of  any 
from  the  great  world,  upon  so  large  a  portion  of  which 
they  looked  down.  Their  absorbing  occupation  was 
in  summer  to  watch  the  flocks  which  strolled  far  away 
among  the  cliffs,  and  in  winter  to  keep  them  close  to 
the  hamlet,  for  then  terrific  storms  swept  the  moun- 
tains and  filled  the  ravines  with  impassable  snow. 

Milosch  and  his  good  wife,  Helena — Maika  Helena, 
good  Mother  Helena,  all  the  hamlet  called  her — were 
blessed  with  two  boys.  Their  faces  were  as  bright  as 
the  sky  in  which,  from  their  lofty  lodgings,  they  might 
be  said  to  have  made  their  morning  ablutions  for  the 
eleven  and  twelve  years  of  their  respective  lives.  Yet 
they  were  not  children  of  the  cherubic  type  ;  rather 
tough  little  knots  of  humanity,  with  big  bullet-heads 
thatched  over  with  heavy  growths  of  hair,  which 
would  have  been  red,  had  it  not  been  bleached  to  a 
light  yellow  by  sunshine  and  cloud-mists.  Instead  of 
the  toys  and  indolent  pastimes  of  the  nursery  they  had 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  13 

only  the  steep  rocks,  the  thick  copse,  the  gnarled 
trees,  and  the  wild  game  of  the  mountains  for  their 
play-things.  They  thus  developed  compactly  knit 
muscles,  depth  of  lung  and  thickness  of  frame,  which 
gave  agility  and  endurance.  At  the  same  time,  the 
associations  of  their  daily  lives,  the  precipitous  cliff, 
the  trembling  edge  of  the  avalanche,  the  caves  of 
strange  beasts,  the  wild  roaring  of  the  winds,  the 
awful  grandeur  of  the  storms,  the  impressive  solitude 
which  filled  the  intervals  of  their  play  like  untranslat- 
able but  mighty  whispers  from  the  unknown  world 
taking  the  place  of  the  prattle  of  this, — these  fostered 
intrepidity,  self-reliance,  and  balance  of  disposition, 
if  not  of  character.  For  religious  discipline  they  had 
the  occasional  ministrations  of  a  Greek  priest  or 
missionary  monk  from  the  Rilo  Monastir,  many  leagues 
to  the  west  of  them.  They  knew  the  Creed  of  Nicaea, 
the  names  of  some  of  the  saints  ;  but  of  truly  divine 
things  they  had  only  such  impressions  as  they  caught 
from  the  great  vault  of  the  universal  temple  above 
them,  and  from  the  suggestions  of  living  nature  at 
their  feet. 

By  the  side  of  Milosch's  house  ran — or  rather 
climbed  and  tumbled,  so  steep  was  it — that  road  over 
the  Balkans,  through  the  Pass  of  Slatiza,  by  which 
Alexander  the  Great,  nearly  two  thousand  years 
before,  had  burst  upon  the  Moesians.  Again,  within 
their  father's  memory,  Bajazet,  the  "  Turkish  Light- 
ning "  as  he  was  called  because  of  the  celerity  of  his 
movements,  had  flashed  his  arms  through  this  Pass, 
and  sent  the  bolts  of  death  down  upon  Wallachia,  and 
poured  terror  even  to  the  distant  gates  of  Vienna. 


14  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

Often  had  Milosch  rehearsed  the  story  of  the  terrible 
days  when  he  himself  had  been  a  soldier  in  the  army 
of  the  Wallachian  Prince  Myrtche  ;  and  showed  the 
scar  of  the  cut  he  had  received  from  the  cimeter  of  a 
Turkish  Janizary,  whom  he  slew  not  far  from  the  site 
of  their  home. 

Their  neighbor,  Kabilovitsch,  a  man  well  weighted 
with  years,  not  only  listened  to  these  tales,  but  added 
marvellous  ones  of  his  own  ;  sometimes  relating  to  the 
wars  of  King  Sigismund  of  Hungary,  who,  after  Prince 
Myrtche,  had  tried  to  regain  this  country  from  the 
cruel  rule  of  the  Moslems  ;  more  frequently,  however, 
his  stories  were  of  exploits  of  anonymous  heroes. 
These  were  told  with  so  much  enthusiasm  as  to  create 
the  belief  that  the  narrator  had  himself  been  the  actor 
in  most  of  them.  For  Kabilovitsch  was  a  strange 
character  in  the  little  settlement  ;  though  not  the  less 
confided  in  because  of  the  mystery  of  his  previous  life. 
He  had  come  to  this  out-of-the-way  place,  as  he  said, 
to  escape  with  his  little  daughter  the  incessant  raids 
and  counter-raids  of  Turks  and  Christians,  which  kept 
the  adjacent  country  in  alarm. 

Good  Uncle  Kabilovitsch — as  all  the  children  of  the 
hamlet  called  him — named  his  daughter,  a  lass  of  ten 
summers,  Morsinia,  after  the  famous  peasant  beauty, 
Elizabeth  Morsiney,  who  had  so  fascinated  King 
Sigismund. 

Morsinia  often  braided  her  hair,  and  sat  beneath 
her  canopy  of  blossoming  laurel,  while  Constantine, 
the  younger  of  Milosch's  boys,  dismounted  from  the 
back  of  his  trained  goat  at  the  mimic  threshold,  and 
wooed  her  on  bended  knee,  as  the  good  king  wooed 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  15 

the  beautiful  peasant.  Michael,  the  elder  boy,  was 
not  less  ardent,  though  less  poetic,  in  the  display  of 
his  passion  for  Morsinia.  A  necklace  of  bear's  claws 
cut  with  his  own  hand  from  a  monster  beast  his 
father  had  killed  ;  a  crown  made  of  porcupine  quills 
which  he  had  picked  up  among  the  rocks  ;  anklets  of 
striped  snake  skin — these  were  the  pledges  of  his  love, 
which  he  declared  he  would  one  day  redeem  with 
those  made  of  gems  and  gold — that  is,  when  he  should 
have  become  a  princely  warrior. 

To  Constantine,  however,  the  little  maiden  was 
most  gracious.  It  was  a  custom  in  the  Balkan  villages 
for  the  young  people,  on  the  Monday  after  Easter,  to 
twist  together  bunches  of  evergreens,  and  for  each 
young  swain  to  kiss  through  the  loops  the  maid  he 
loved  the  best.  With  adults  this  was  regarded  as  a 
probationary  agreement  to  marry.  If  the  affection 
were  mutually  as  full  flamed  the  following  Easter,  the 
kiss  through  the  loop  was  the  formal  betrothal. 
Constantine's  impatience  wreathed  the  evergreens 
almost  daily,  and,  as  every  kiss  stood  for  a  year,  there 
was  awaiting  them — if  the  good  fairies  would  only 
make  it  true — some  centuries  of  nuptial  bliss. 

The  little  lover  had  built  for  himself  a  booth 
against  the  steep  rocks.  Into  this  Morsinia  would 
enter  with  bread  and  water,  and  placing  them  upon 
the  stone  which  answered  for  a  table,  say,  in  imitation 
of  older  maidens  assuming  the  care  of  husbands,  "  So 
will  I  always  and  faithfully  provide  for  thee."  Then 
she  would  touch  the  sides  of  the  miniature  house  with 
a  twig,  which  she  called  her  distaff,  saying,  "  I  win 
weave  for  thee,  my  lord,  goodly  garments  and  gay." 


1 6  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

She  would  also  sit  down  and  undress  and  redress  her 
doll,  which  Constantine  had  carved  from  wood,  and 
which  they  said  would  do  for  the  real  baby  that  the 
bride  was  expected  to  array,  in  the  ceremony  by  which 
she  acknowledged  the  obligations  of  wifehood.* 

But  Michael  was  not  at  all  disconsolate  at  this  pref- 
erence shown  his  brother  ;  for  he  knew  that  Morsinia 
would  prefer  him  to  all  the  world  when  she  heard 
what  a  great  soldier  he  had  become.  Indeed,  on  some 
days  Michael  was  lord  of  the  little  booth  ;  and  more 
than  once  the  fair  enchantress  put  the  evergreen  loop 
around  both  the  boys  in  as  sincere  indecision  as  has 
sometimes  vexed  older  hearts  than  hers. 


CHAPTER  III. 

IN  the  winter  of  1443 — a  few  months  subsequent  to 
the  events  with  which  our  story  begins — the  Pass 
of  Slatiza  echoed  other  sounds  than  the  cry  of  the 
eagle,  the  bleating  of  the  flocks,  and  the  songs  and 
halloos  of  the  mountaineers.  Distant  bugle  calls 
floated  between  the  cliffs.  At  night  a  fire  would  flash 
from  a  peak,  and  be  suddenly  extinguished,  as  another 
gleamed  from  a  peak  beyond.  Strange  men  had  gone 
up  and  down  the  road.  With  one  of  these  Uncle 
Kabilovitsch  had  wandered  off,  and  been  absent  sev- 
eral days.  Great  was  the  excitement  of  the  little  folks 
when  Milosch  told  them  that  a  real  army  was  not  far 
*These  are  still  Servian  customs. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  17 

off,  coming  from  the  Christian  country  to  the  north  of 
them,  and  that  its  general  was  no  other  than  the  great 
Hunyades,  the  White  Knight  of  Wallachia — called  so 
because  he  wore  white  armor — the  son  of  that  same 
King    Sigismund    and  the   fair    Elizabeth  Morsiney. 
How    little    Morsinia's    cheeks    paled,    while    those 
of    the    boys    burned,    and    their    eyes    flashed,    as 
their    father  told    them,   by  the  fire-light  in  the  cen- 
tre of  their  cabin,  that  the  White  Knight  had  already 
conquered  the  Turks  at  Hermanstadt  and  at  Vasag 
and  on  the  banks  of  the  Morava,  and  was — if  the  story 
which  Milosch  had  heard  from  some  scouts  were  true — 
preparing  to  burst  through  the  Balkan  mountains,  and 
descend  upon  the  homes  of  the  Turk  on  the  southern 
plains.     Little  did  they  sleep  at  night,  in  the  excite- 
ment of  the  belief  that,  at  any  day,  they  might  see  the 
soldiers — real  soldiers,  just  like  those  of  Alexander, 
and   those  of   Bajazet — tramping   through   the    Pass. 
The  tremor  of  the  earth,  occasioned  by  some  distant 
landslide,  in   their   excited    imagination   was   thought 
to  be  due  to  the  tramp  of  a  myriad  feet.     The  hoot  of 
the  owl  became  the  trumpet  call  for  the  onset :  and  the 
sharp  whistle  of  the  wind,  between  leafless  trees  and 
along  the  ice-covered  rocks,  seemed  like  the  whizzing 
flight  of  the  souls  of  the  slain. 

Once,  just  as  the  gray  dawn  appeared,  Kabilovitsch, 
who  had  been  absent  for  several  days,  came  hurriedly 
with  the  alarming  news  that  the  Turks,  steadily  retir- 
ing before  the  Christians,  would  soon  occupy  the 
Pass.  They  were  already  coming  up  the  defiles,  as 
the  mists  rise  along  the  sides  of  the  mountains,  in 
dense  masses,  hoping  to  gain  such  vantage  ground 


1 8  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

that  they  could  hurl  the  troops  of  Hunyades  down 
the  almost  perpendicular  slopes  before  they  could 
effect  a  secure  lodgment  on  the  summit.  The  chil- 
dren and  women  must  leave  herds  and  homes,  and  fly 
instantly.  The  only  safe  retreat  was  the  great  cave, 
which  the  mountaineers  knew  of,  lying  off  towards  the 
other  Pass,  that  of  Soulourderbend. 

The  fugitives  were  scarcely  gone  when  the  moun- 
tain swarmed  with  Moslems.  The  mighty  mass  of 
humanity  crowded  the  cliffs  like  bees  preparing  to 
swarm.  They  fringed  the  breastworks  of  native  rock 
with  abattis  made  of  huge  trunks  of  trees.  During 
the  day  the  Turks  had  diverted  a  mountain  stream,  so 
that,  leaving  its  bed,  it  poured  a  thin  sheet  of  water 
over  the  steepest  part  of  the  road  the  Christians  were 
to  ascend.  This,  freezing  during  the  night,  made  a 
wall  of  ice.  The  Christians  were  thus  forced  to  leave 
the  highway  and  attempt  to  scale  the  crags  far  and 
near  ;  a  movement  which  the  Turks  met  by  spreading 
themselves  everywhere  above  them.  Upon  ledges 
and  into  crevices  which  had  never  before  felt  the 
pressure  of  human  feet  clambered  the  contestants. 
Every  rock  was  empurpled  with  gore.  Turkish  tur- 
ban and  Hungarian  helmet  were  caught  upon  the  same 
thorny  bush  ;  while  the  heads  which  had  worn  them 
rolled  together  in  the  same  gully,  and  stared  their 
deathless  hatred  from  their  dead  eyes. 

The  Turks  in  falling  back  discovered  the  mouth  of 
the  cave  in  which  the  peasants  had  taken  refuge.  As 
the  Moslem  bugles  sounded  the  retreat,  lest  they 
should  be  cut  off  by  the  Christians  who  had  scaled 
the  heights  on  their  flanks,  they  seized  the  women  and 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  19 

children,  who  soon  were  lost  to  each  other's  sight  in 
the  skurry  of  the  retiring  host.  The  hands  of  Con- 
stantine  were  tied  about  the  neck,  and  his  legs  about  the 
loins,  of  a  huge  Moslem,  to  whose  keeping  he  had 
been  committed.  An  arrow  pierced  the  soldier  to  the 
heart. 

It  seemed  as  if  more  than  keenness  of  eye — some 
inspiration  of  his  fatherly  instinct — led  Kabilovitsch 
on  through  the  vast  confusion,  far  down  the  slope, 
outrunning  the  fugitives  and  their  pursuers,  avoiding 
contact  with  any  one  by  leaping  from  rock  to  rock 
and  darting  like  a  serpent  through  secret  by-paths, 
until  he  reached  the  horsemen  of  the  Turks,  who  had 
not  been  able  to  follow  the  foot-soldiers  up  the  steep 
ascent.  He  knew  that  his  little  girl  would  be  given 
in  charge  to  some  one  of  these.  He,  therefore,  con- 
cealed himself  in  the  growing  darkness  behind  a  clump 
of  evergreen  trees,  close  to  which  one  must  pass  in 
order  to  reach  the  horses.  A  moment  later,  with  the 
stealth  and  the  strength  of  a  panther,  he  leaped  upon 
a  Turk.  The  man  let  go  the  tiny  form  of  the  girl 
he  was  carrying ;  but,  before  he  could  assume  an 
attitude  of  defence,  the  iron  grip  of  Kabilovitsch  was 
upon  his  throat,  and  the  steel  of  the  infuriated  old 
man  in  his  heart.  Under  the  sheltering  darkness, 
carrying  his  rescued  child,  Kabilovitsch  threaded 
his  way  along  ledges  and  balconies  of  rock  projecting 
so  slightly  from  the  precipitous  mountain  that  they 
would  have  been  discerned,  even  in  daylight,  by  no 
eye  less  expert  than  his  own.  At  one  place  his  way 
was  blocked  by  a  dead  body  which  had  fallen  from  the 
ledge  above,  and  been  caught  by  the  tangled  limbs  of 


20  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

the  mountain  laurel.  Without  relinquishing  his  load, 
he  pushed  with  his  foot  the  lifeless  mass  down  through 
the  entanglement,  and  listened  to  the  snapping  of  the 
bushes  and  the  crashing  of  loosened  stones,  until  the 
heavy  thud  announced  that  it  had  found  a  resting 
place. 

"  So  God  rest  his  soul,  be  he  Christian  or  Paynim  !  " 
muttered  the  old  man.  "  And  now,  my  child,  are  you 
frighted  ?  " 

"  No,  father,  not  when  you  are  with  me,"  said  Mor- 
sinia. 

"  Could  you  stand  close  to  the  rock,  and  hold  very 
tight  to  the  bush,  if  I  leave  you  a  moment  ?  " 

"  Yes,  father,  I  will  hold  to  the  bush  as  tight  as  it 
holds  to  the  rock." 

Kabilovitsch  grasped  a  root  of  laurel,  and,  testing 
it  with  main  strength,  swung  clear  of  the  ledge,  until 
his  foot  rested  upon  another  ledge  nearly  the  length  of 
his  body  below.  Bracing  himself  so  that  he  spanned 
the  interval  with  the  strength  of  a  granite  pillar,  he 
bade  the  child  crawl  cautiously  in  the  direction  of  his 
voice.  As  she  touched  his  hands,  he  lifted  her  with 
perfect  poise,  and  placed  her  feet  beside  his  own 
on  a  broad  table  rock. 

"  Now,  blessed  be  Jesu,  we  are  safe  !  Did  I  not 
tell  you  I  would  some  day  take  you  to  a  cavern  which 
no  one  but  Milosch  and  I  had  ever  seen  ?  Here  it  is. 
Unless  Sultan  Amurath  hires  the  eagles  to  be  his 
spies — as  they  say  he  does — no  eye  but  God's  will  see 
us  here  even  when  the  sun  rises.  You  did  not  know, 
my  little  princess,  what  a  coward  your  old  father  had 
become,  to  run  away  from  a  battle.  Did  you,  my 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  21 

darling  ? "  said  he  kissing  her.  "  Never  did  I  dream 
that  Ar ,  that  Kabilovitsch  would  fly  like  a  fright- 
ened partridge  through  the  bushes.  But  my  girl's 
heart  has  taken  the  place  of  my  own  to-night." 

As  he  spoke  he  slipped  from  his  shoulders  the 
rough  cape,  or  armless  jacket,  of  bear-skin,  and  wrapped 
the  girl  closely  in  it.  He  then  carried  her  beneath 
the  roof  of  a  little  cave,  where  he  enfolded  her  in  his 
arms,  making  his  own  back  a  barrier  against  the  cut- 
ting night  wind  and  the  whirling  snow.  The  cold  was 
intense.  Thinking  only  of  the  danger  to  the  already 
half-benumbed  and  wearied  body  of  the  child,  he  took 
off  his  conical  cap,  and  unwound  the  many  folds  of 
coarse  woollen  cloth  of  which  it  was  made,  and  with  it 
wrapped  her  limbs  and  feet. 

Thus  the  night  was  passed.  With  the  first  streak  of 
the  dawn  Kabilovitsch  crept  cautiously  from  the 
ledge,  and  soon  returned  with  the  news  that  the  Turks 
had  vanished,  swept  away  by  the  tide  of  Christian 
soldiers  which  was  still  pouring  over  and  down  the 
mountain  in  pursuit. 

Horrible  was  the  scene  which  everywhere  greeted 
them  as  they  clambered  back  toward  the  road.  The 
dead  were  piled  upon  the  dying  in  every  ravine.  Red 
streaks  seamed  the  white  snow — channels  in  which  the 
current  of  many  a  life  had  drained  away.  The  road 
was  choked  with  the  hurrying  victors.  But  the  old 
man's  familiarity  with  the  ground  found  paths  which 
the  nimble  feet  of  the  maid  could  climb  ;  so  that  the 
day  was  not  far  advanced  when  they  stood  on  the  site 
of  their  home.  Scarcely  a  trace  of  the  little  hamlet 
remained.  Whatever  could  be  burned  had  fed  the 


2  2  THE  CA  P  TA  IN  OF  THE  JA  NIZA  RIE  S. 

camp-fires  of  the  preceding  night.  The  houses  had 
been  thrown  down  by  the  soldiers  in  rifling  the  grain 
bins  which  were  built  between  their  outer  and  inner 
walls. 

The  old  man  sat  down  upon  the  door-stone  of  what 
had  been  his  home.  His  head  dropped  upon  his 
bosom.  Morsinia  stood  by  his  side,  her  arm  about  his 
neck,  and  her  cheek  pressed  close  to  his,  so  that  her 
bright  golden  hair  mingled  with  his  gray  beard — as 
in  certain  mediaeval  pictures  the  artist  expresses  a 
pleasing  fancy  in  hammered  work  of  silver  and  gold. 
They  scarcely  noticed  that  a  group  of  horsemen,  more 
gaily  uniformed  than  the  ordinary  soldiers,  had  halted 
and  were  looking  at  them. 

"  By  the  eleven  thousand  virgins  of  Coin  !  I  never 
saw  a  more  unique  picture  than  that,"  said  one  who 
wore  a  skull  cap  of  scarlet,  while  an  attendant  carried 
his  heavy  helmet.  "  If  Masaccio  were  with  us  I 
would  have  him  paint  that  scene  for  our  new  cathedral 
at  Milano,  as  an  allegory  of  the  captivity  in  Babylon." 

"  Rather  of  the  captivity  in  Avignon.  It  would  be 
a  capital  representation  of  the  Holy  Father  and  his 
daughter  the  Church,"  replied  a  companion  laughing. 
"  Only  I  would  have  the  painter  insert  the  portrait  of 
your  eminence,  Cardinal  Julian,  as  delivering  them 
both." 

"  That  would  not  be  altogether  unhistoric  ;  for  the 
deliverance  was  not  wholly  wrought  until  our  time," 
replied  the  cardinal,  evidently  gratified  with  the  flat- 
tering addition  which  his  comrade,  King  Vladis- 
laus,  had  made  to  his  pleasing  conceit.  "  But 
if  to-day's  victory  be  as  thorough  as  it  now 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  23 

looks,  and  we  drive  the  Turks  out  of  Europe,  it  would 
serve  as  a  picture  of  the  captivity  in  which  the 
haughty,  half-infidel  emperor  of  the  Greeks  and  his 
daughter,  Byzantium,  will  soon  be  to  Rome." 

"  But,  by  my  crown,"  said  Vladislaus,  "and  with  due 
reverence  for  the  great  cardinal  under  whose  cap  is 
all  the  brain  that  Rome  can  now  boast  of — I  think  the 
Greeks  will  find  as  much  spiritual  desolation  in 
Mother  Church  as  these  worthy  people  have  about 
them  here." 

"  I  can  pardon  that  speech  to  the  newly  baptized 
king  of  half-barbarian  Hungary,  when  I  would  not 
shrive  another  for  it,"  replied  Julian  petulantly.  <l  The 
son  of  a  pagan  may  be  allowed  much  ignorance 
regarding  the  mystery  of  the  Holy  See.  But  a  truce 
to  our  badgering  !  Let  us  speak  to  this  old  fellow. 
Good  man,  is  this  your  house  ?  By  Saint  Cathe- 
rine !  the  girl  is  beautiful,  your  highness." 

"  It  was  my  home,  Sire,  yesterday,  but  now  it  is  his 
that  wants  it,"  replied  Kabilovitsch. 

"  And  where  do  you  go  now  ?  "  asked  the  cardinal. 

"  Towards  God's  gate,  Sire  ;  and  I  wish  I  might  see 
it  soon,  but  for  this  little  one,"  said  the  old  man, 
rising. 

"  Holy  Peter  let   you   in  when  you    get  there," 
rejoined  His  Eminence,  turning  his  horse  away. 

"  Hold  !  Cardinal,"  replied  the  king.  "  I  am  sur- 
prised at  that  speech  from  you.  You  have  tried  to 
teach  me  by  lectures  for  a  fortnight  past  that  Rome 
has  temporal  as  well  as  spiritual  authority,  all 
power  on  earth  as  well  as  in  heaven.  Now,  by  Our 
Lady  !  you  ought  to  help  this  good  man  over 


24  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

his  earthly  way  towards  God's  gate,  as  well  as 
wish  him  luck  when  he  gets  there.  But  the  priest 
preaches,  and  leaves  the  laity  to  do  the  duties  of 
religion.  Credit  me  with  a  good  Christian  deed  to 
balance  the  many  bad  ones  you  remember  against  me, 
Cardinal,  and  I  will  help  the  man.  The  golden  hair 
of  the  child  against  the  old  man's  head  were  as  good 
an  aureole  as  ever  a  saint  wore.  And  that  Holy  Peter 
knows,  if  the  Cardinal  does  not.  Ho,  Olgard  !  Take 
the  lass  on  the  saddle  with  you.  And,  old  man,  if  you 
will  keep  close  with  your  daughter,  you  will  find  as  good 
provision  behind  the  gate  of  Philippopolis  as  that  in 
heaven,  if  report  be  true.  And,  by  Saint  Michael  ! 
if  we  go  dashing  down  the  mountain  at  this  rate  we 
will  vault  the  walls  of  that  rich  Moslem  town  as 
easily  as  the  devil  jumped  the  gate  of  Paradise." 

Kabilovitsch  trudged  by  the  side  of  Olgard,  who 
held  Morsinia  before  him.  It  was  hard  for  the  old 
man  to  keep  from  under  the  hoofs  of  the  horses  as 
the  attendant  knights  crowded  together  down  the 
narrow  and  tortuous  descent.  Suddenly  the  girl 
uttered  a  cry,  and,  clapping  her  hands,  called, 

"  Constantine,  Constantine  !  " 

The  missing  lad,  emerging  from  a  copse,  stood  for 
an  instant  in  amazement  at  the  apparition  of  his  little 
playmate  ;  then  dashed  among  the  crowd  toward  her. 

"  Drat  the  witch  !  "  said  a  knight — between  the 
legs  of  whose  horse  the  boy  had  gone — aiming  at  him 
a  blow  with  his  iron  mace.  Constantine  would  have 
been  trampled  by  the  crowding  cavalcade,  had  not  the 
strong  hand  of  a  trooper  seized  him  by  his  ragged 
jacket  and  lifted  him  to  the  horse's  crupper. 


THE  CAPTAIN'  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  25 

"  So  may  somebody  save  my  own  lad  in  the  moun- 
tains of  Carpathia  !  "  said  the  rough,  but  kindly 
soldier. 

"  Ay,  the  angels  will  bear  him  up  in  their  hands, 
lest  he  even  dash  his  foot  against  a  stone,  for  thy 
good  deed,"  exclaimed  a  monk,  who,  with  hood 
thrown  back,  and  almost  breathless  with  the  effort  to 
rescue  the  lad  himself,  had  reached  him  at  the  same 
moment. 

"  Good  Father,  pray  for  me ! "  said  the  trooper, 
crossing  himself. 

"Ay,  with  grace,"  replied  the  monk,  extricating 
himself  from  the  crowd,  and  hasting  back  to  the  side 
of  a  wounded  man,  whom  his  comrades  were  carrying 
on  a  stretcher  which  had  been  extemporized  with  an 
old  cloak  tied  securely  between  two  stout  sap- 
lings. 

As  night  darkened  down,  the  plain  at  the  base  of 
the  mountain  burst  into  weird  magnificence  with  a 
thousand  campfires.  The  Turks  were  in  full  retreat 
toward  Adrianople,  and  joy  reigned  among  the 
Christians.  It  was  the  eve  of  Christmas.  The  stars 
shone  with  rare  brilliancy  through  the  cold  clear 
atmosphere. 

"  The  very  heavens  return  the  salutation  of  our 
beacons,"  said  King  Vladislaus. 

A  trumpet  sounded  its  shrill  and  jubilant  note, 
which  was  caught  up  by  others,  until  the  woods  and 
fields  and  the  mountain  sides  were  flooded  with  the 
inarticulate  song,  as  quickly  as  the  first  note  of  a  bird 
awakens  the  whole  matin  chorus  of  the  summer 
time. 


26  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

Cardinal  Julian,  reining  his  horse  at  the  entrance  to 
the  camp,  listened  as  he  gazed — 

"  '  And  with  the  angel  there  was  a  multitude  of  the 
heavenly  host  praising  God  !  '  Let  us  accept  the  joy 
of  this  eve  of  the  birth  of  our  Lord  as  an  omen  of  the 
birth  of  Christian  power  to  these  lands,  which  have 
so  long  lain  in  the  shadow  of  Moslem  infidelity  and 
Greek  heresy.  Ou'r  camps  yonder  flash  as  the  sparks 
which  flew  from  the  apron  of  the  Infant  Jesu  and 
terrified  the  devil.*  Sultan  Amurath  has  been  scorched 
this  day,  though  the  infernal  fiend  lodge  in  his  skin, 
as  I  verily  believe  he  does." 

"  Amurath  was  not  in  personal  command  to-day. 
At  least  so  I  am  told,"  replied  Vladislaus.  "  He  is 
occupied  with  a  rebellion  of  the  Caramanians  in  Asia. 
Carambey,  the  Sultan's  sister's  husband,  led  the  forces 
at  the  beginning  of  the  fight.  He  was  captured  in  the 
bog,  and  is  now  in  safe  custody  with  the  Servian  Des- 
pot, George  Brankovich.  Hunyades  and  the  Despot 
have  been  bargaining  for  his  possession.  But  the  real 
commandant,  as  I  have  learned  from  prisoners — at 
least  he  was  present  at  the  beginning  of  the  fight — was 
Scanderbeg." 

"  Scanderbeg  ?"  exclaimed  Julian  with  great  alarm. 
"  What  !  the  Albanian  traitor,  Castriot  ? — Iscariot, 
rather,  should  be  his  name —  This  then,  Your  Maj- 
esty, is  no  night  for  revelry  ;  but  for  watching.  The 
flight  of  the  enemy,  if  Scanderbeg  leads  them,  is  only 
to  draw  us  into  a  net.  What  if  before  morning,  with 
the  Balkans  behind  us,  we  should  be  assaulted  with 
fresh  corps  of  Turks  on  the  front  ?  There  is  no  fath- 
*  Vide  Apochryphal  Gospels. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  27 

oming  the  devices  of  Scanderbeg's  wily  brain.  And 
never  yet  has  he  been  defeated,  except  to  wrest  the 
better  victory  out  of  seeming  disaster.  Does  General 
Hunyades  know  the  antagonist  he  is  dealing  with  ?  that 
it  is  not  some  bey  or  pasha,  nor  even  the  Sultan  him- 
self, but  Scanderbeg  ?  I  have  heard  Hunyades  say 
that  since  the  days  of  Saladin,  the  Moslems  have  not 
had  a  leader  so  skilful  as  that  Albanian  renegade:  that 
a  glance  of  his  eye  has  more  sagacity  in  it  than  the 
deliberations  of  a  Divan  :  *  and  that  not  a  score  of 
knights  could  stand  against  his  bare  arm.  We  must 
see  Hunyades." 

"  I  confess,"  replied  King  Vladislaus,  "  that  I  liked 
not  the  easy  victory  we  have  had.  I  would  have 
sworn  to  prevent  a  myriad  foes  climbing  the  ice  road 
we  travelled  yesterday,  if  I  had  but  a  company  of 
pikemen  ;  yet  ten  thousand  Turkish  veterans  kept  us 
not  back  ;  and  they  were  led  by  Scanderbeg  !  There 
is  mystery  here.  Jesu  prevent  it  should  be  the  mys- 
tery of  death  to  us  all  !  Let's  to  Hunyades  !  If  only 
your  wisdom  or  prayers,  Cardinal,  could  reclaim  Scan- 
derbeg to  his  Christian  allegiance,  I  would  not  fear 
Sultan  Amurath,  though  he  were  the  devil's  pope, 
with  the  keys  of  death  and  hell  in  his  girdle." 

Hunyades  was  found  with  the  advance  corps  of  the 
Christians.  But  for  his  white  armor  he  could  scarcely 
be  distinguished  from  some  subaltern  officer,  as  he 
moved  among  the  men,  inspecting  the  details  of  their 
encampment.  The  contrast  of  the  commander-in- 
chief  with  the  kingly  and  the  ecclesiastical  soldier  was 
striking.  He  listened  quietly  to  their  surmises  and 

*  Divan  ;  the  Turkish  Council  of  State. 


28  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

fears,  and  replied  with  as  little  of  their  excitement  as 
if  he  spoke  of  a  new  armor-cleaner  : 

4i  Yes !  we  shall  probably  have  a  raid  from  Scan- 
derbeg  before  morning.  But  we  are  ready  for  him. 
Do  you  look  well  to  the  rear,  King  Vladislaus  !  And 
do  you,  Cardinal,  marshal  a  host  of  fresh  Latin  prayers 
for  the  dying  ;  for,  if  Scanderbeg  gets  among  your 
Italians,  their  saffron  skins  will  bleach  into  ghosts  for 
fright  of  him." 

The  cardinal's  face  grew  as  red  as  his  cap,  as  he 
replied  : 

"  But  for  loyalty  to  our  common  Christian  cause, 
and  the  example  of  subordination  to  our  chief,  I 
would  answer  that  taunt  as  it  deserves." 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  company  which  Kabilovitsch  and  the  children 
had  joined  was  halted  at  the  edge  of  the  great 
camp.  Other  peasants  and  non-combatants  crowded 
in  from  their  desolated  homes  ;  but  neither  Milosch's 
face,  nor  Helena's,  nor  yet  little  Michael's,  were  among 
those  they  anxiously  scanned.  The  command  of 
King  Vladislaus  secured  for  the  three  favored  refugees 
every  comfort  which  the  rude  soldiers  could  furnish. 
The  boy  and  girl  were  soon  asleep  by  a  fire,  while  the 
old  man  lay  close  beside  them,  that  no  one  could 
approach  without  arousing  him.  He,  however,  could 
not  sleep.  On  the  one  side  was  the  noisy  revelry  of 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  29 

the  victors  ;  on  the  other,  the  darkness  of  the  plain. 
Here  and  there  were  groups  of  soldiers,  and  beyond 
them  an  occasional  gleam  of  the  spear-head  of  some 
sentinel,  who,  saluting  his  comrade,  turned  at  the  end 
of  his  beat. 

The  dusky  form  of  a  huge  man  attracted  Kabilo- 
vitsch's  eye.  As  the  stranger  drew  near,  his  long  bear- 
skin cape  terminating  above  in  a  rough  and  ungrace- 
ful hood,  and  his  long- pointed  shoes  with  blocks  of 
wood  for  their  soles,  indicated  that  he  was  some 
peasant.  He  seemed  to  be  wandering  about  with  no 
other  aim  than  to  keep  himself  warm.  Yet  Kabilo- 
vitsch  noted  that  he  lingered  as  he  passed  by  the 
various  groups,  as  if  to  scan  the  faces  of  his  fellow- 
sufferers. 

"  Heaven  grant  that  all  his  kids  be  safe  to-night !  " 
muttered  the  old  man. 

As  the  walking  figure  passed  across  the  line  of  a 
fagot  fire,  he  revealed  a  splendid  form  ;  too  straight 
for  one  accustomed  to  bend  at  his  daily  toil. 

"  A  mountaineer  ?  a  hunter  ? "  thought  Kabilovitsch, 
"  for  the  field-tillers  are  all  round  of  shoulder,  and 
bow-backed.  But  no !  His  tread  is  too  firm  and 
heavy  for  that  sort  of  life.  One's  limbs  are  springy, 
agile,  who  climbs  the  crags.  A  hunter  will  use  the 
toes  more  in  stepping." 

Kabilovitsch's  curiosity  could  not  keep  his  eyes 
from  growing  heavy  with  the  cold  and  the  flicker  of 
the  fire  light,  when  they  were  forced  wide  open  again 
by  the  approach  of  the  stranger.  The  old  man  felt, 
rather  than  saw,  that  he  was  being  closely  studied 
from  behind  the  folds  of  the  hood  which  the  wanderer 


30  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

drew  close  over  his  face,  to  keep  out  the  cutting  wind 
which  swept  in  gusts  down  from  the  mountains.  He 
passed  very  near,  and  was  talking  to  himself,  as  is 
apt  to  be  the  custom  of  men  who  lead  lonely 
lives. 

"  It  is  bitter  cold,"  he  said,  with  chattering  teeth, 
"  bitter  cold,  by  the  beard  of  Moses  !  " 

The  last  words  startled  Kabilovitsch  so  that  he  gave 
a  sudden  motion.  The  stranger  noticed  it  and 
paused.  Gazing  intently  upon  the  old  man,  who  had 
now  assumed  a  sitting  posture,  he  addressed  him — 

"  By  the  beard  of  Moses  !  it's  an  awful  night, 
neighbor." 

"  Ay,  by  the  beard  of  Moses  !  it  is  ;  and  one  could 
wear  the  beard  of  Aaron,  too,  with  comfort — Aaron's 
beard  was  longer  than  Moses'  beard  ;  is  not  that  what 
the  priest  says  ?  "  said  Kabilovitsch,  veiling  his  excite- 
ment under  forced  indifference  of  manner,  at  the 
same  time  making  room  for  the  visitor,  who,  without 
ceremony  stretched  himself  by  his  side,  bringing  his 
face  close  to  that  of  the  old  man,  and  glaring  into  it. 
Kabilovitsch  returned  his  gaze  with  equal  sharpness. 

"  What  know  you  of  the  beard  of  Moses  ? "  said 
the  stranger.  "  Was  it  gray  or  black  ?  " 

"  Black,"  said  Kabilovitsch,  studying  the  other's 
face  with  suspicion  and  surprise.  "  Black  as  an 
Albanian  thunder  cloud,  and  his  eye  was  as 
undimmed  by  age  as  that  of  the  eagle  that  flies  over 
the  lake  of  Ochrida."  * 

"  You  speak  well,"  replied  the  stranger,  pushing 
back  his  hood. 

*  A  lake  in  Albania. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  31 

His  face  was  massive  and  strong.  No  peasant  was 
he,  but  one  born  to  command  and  accustomed  to  it. 

"  You  are Drakul  ? "  asked  the  man. 

"  No." 

"  Harion  ? " 

"  No." 

"  Kabilovitsch  ? " 

"  Ay,  and  you  ?  " 

"  Castriot." 

Kabilovitsch  sprang  to  his  feet. 

"  Lie  down !  Lie  down !  Let  me  share  your 
blanket,"  said  the  visitor.  "  This  air  is  too  crisp  and 
resonant  for  us  to  speak  aloud  in  it ;  and  waking  ears 
at  night-time  are  over  quick  to  hear  what  does  not 
concern  them.  We  can  muffle  our  speech  beneath 
the  blanket." 

Kabilovitsch  felt  the  hesitation  of  reverence  in 
assuming  a  proximity  of  such  intimacy  with  his  guest ; 
but  also  felt  the  authority  of  the  command  and  the 
wisdom  of  the  precaution.  He  obeyed. 

"  I  feared  that  I  should  find  no  one  who  recognized 
our  password.  I  must  see  General  Hunyades  to- 
night ;  yet  must  not  approach  his  quarters.  Can  you 
get  to  his  tent  ?  " 

"  Readily,"  said  Kabilovitsch.  "  During  the  day 
my  little  lass  yonder  won  the  attention  of  King  Vla- 
dislaus,  and  he  gave  me  the  password  of  the  camp 
to-night  for  her  safety.  '  Christus  natus  esf" 

"  You  must  go  to  him  at  once,  and  say  that  I  would 
see  him  here.  You  will  trust  me  to  keep  guard  over 
these  two  kids  while  you  are  away  ?  I  will  not  wolf 
them." 


32  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

"  Heaven  grant  that  you  may  shepherd  all  Albania," 
— and  the  old  man  was  off. 

"  I  knew  that  the  prodigal  Prince  George  would 
come  back  some  day,"  said  he  to  himself.  "  Many  a 
year  have  I  kept  my  watch  in  the  Pass,  and  among  the 
mountains  of  Albania.  And  many  a  service  have  I 
rendered  as  a  simple  goatherd  which  I  could  not 
have  done  had  I  worn  my  country's  colors  anywhere 
except  in  my  heart.  And,  '  by  the  beard  of  Moses  ! ' 
During  some  weeks  now  I  have  carried  many  a  mes- 
sage, had  some  fighting  and  hard  scratching  which  I 
did  not  understand,  except  that  it  was  '  by  the  beard 
of  Moses  !  '  And  now  Moses  has  come  ;  refused  at 
last  to  be  called  the  son  of  Pharaoh's  daughter,  and 
will  free  his  people.  God  will  it  !  And  George  Cas- 
triot  has  lain  under  my  blanket  !  I  will  hang  that 
blanket  in  the  church  at  Croia  as  an  offering  to  the 
Holy  Virgin. — But  no,  it  belongs  to  the  trooper. 
Heaven  keep  me  discreet,  or,  for  the  joy  of  it,  I  can- 
not do  my  errand  safely.  I'll  draw  my  hood  close, 
lest  the  moon  yonder  should  guess  my  secret." 

Kabilovitsch  was  challenged  at  every  turn  as  he 
wound  between  the  hundreds  of  camp-fires  and  tents  ; 
but  the  magic  words,  "  Christus  natus  est,"  opened 
the  way. 

A  circle  of  splendid  tents  told  him  he  drew  near  to 
headquarters.  In  the  midst  of  them  blazed  an 
immense  fire.  Camp-tables,  gleaming  with  tankards 
and  goblets  of  silver,  were  ranged  beneath  gorgeous 
canopies  of  flaxen  canvas,  which  were  lined  with  blue 
and  purple  tapestries.  A  multitude  of  gaily  dressed 
servitors  thronged  into  and  out  of  them.  Here  was  the 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  33 

royal  splendor  of  Hungary  and  Poland  ;  there  the 
pavilion  of  the  Despot  of  Servia  ;  there  the  glittering 
cross  of  Rome  ;  and,  at  the  extreme  end  of  this  extem- 
porized array  of  palatial  and  courtly  pride,  the  more 
modest,  but  still  rich,  banner  of  the  White  Knight. 

Kabilovitsch  approached  the  latter. 

"  Your  errand,  man  ? "  said  the  guard,  holding  his 
spear  across  the  flapping  doorway  of  the  tent. 

"  Christus  natus  est  !  "  was  the  response. 

"  That  will  do  elsewhere,  but  not  here,"  rejoined  the 
guard. 

"  My  business  is  solely  with  General  Hunyades,"  said 
Kabilovitsch. 

"  It  cannot  be,"  said  the  spearman.  "  He  has  no 
business  with  any  one  but  himself.  If  you  are  a  shep- 
herd of  Bethlehem  come  to  adore  the  Infant  Jesu — 
as  you  look  to  be — you  must  wait  until  the  morning." 

"  My  message  is  as  important  to  him  as  that  of  the 
angels  on  that  blessed  night,"  said  the  goatherd,  mak- 
ing a  deep  obeisance  and  looking  up  to  heaven  as  if 
in  prayer,  as  he  spoke. 

"  Then  proclaim  your  message,  old  crook-staff  !  we 
have  had  glad  tidings  to-day,  but  can  endure  to  hear 
more,"  said  the  guard,  pushing  him  away. 

"  No  ear  on  earth  shall  hear  mine  but  the  general's," 
cried  the  old  man,  raising  his  voice  :  "  No  !  by  the 
beard  of  Moses  !  it  shall  not." 

"  A  strange  swear  that,  old  leather-skin  !  Did  you 
keep  your  sheep  in  Midian,  where  Moses  did,  that  you 
know  he  had  a  beard.  Your  cloak  is  ragged  enough 
to  have  belonged  to  father  Jethro  ;  and  I  warrant  it  is 
as  full  of  vermin  as  were  those  of  the  Egyptians  after 
3 


34  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

the  plague  that  Moses   sent   on   them.     But  the  ten 
plagues  take  you  !  Get  away  !  " 

"  No,  by  the  beard  of  Moses  !  "  shouted  Kabilo- 
vitsch. 

"  Let  him  pass  !  "  said  a  voice  from  deep  within  the 
tent. 

"  Let  him  pass  !  "  said  another  nearer. 

"  Let  him  pass  !  "  repeated  one  just  inside  the  outer 
curtain. 

The  goatherd  passed  between  a  line  of  sentinels, 
closely  watched  by  each.  The  tent  was  a  double  one, 
composing  a  room  or  pavilion,  enclosed  by  the  great 
tent ;  so  that  there  was  a  large  space  around  the  pri- 
vate apartment  of  the  general,  allowing  the  sentinels 
to  patrol  entirely  about  it  without  passing  into  the 
outer  air. 

At  the  entrance  of  the  inner  tent  Hunyades 
appeared.  He  was  of  light  build  but  compactly  knit, 
with  ample  forehead  and  generous,  but  scarred  face  ; 
which,  however,  was  more  significantly  seamed  with 
the  lines  that  denote  thought  and  courage.  He  was 
wrapped  in  a  loose  robe  of  costly  furs.  He  waved  his 
hand  for  Kabilovitsch  to  enter,  and  bade  the  guards 
retire.  Throwing  himself  on  a  plain  soldier's  couch, 
he  drew  close  to  it  a  camp  seat,  and  motioned  his 
visitor  to  sit. 

"  You  have  news  from  the  Albanians,  by  the  beard 
of  Moses  ?  "  said  Hunyades  inquiringly. 

A  moment  or  two  sufficed  for  the  delivery  of  Kabi- 
lovitsch's  message. 

"  Ho,  guard  !  when  this  old  man  goes,  let  no  one 
enter  until  he  comes  back  ;  then  admit  him  without 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  3$ 

the  pass,  instantly,"  said  Hunyades,  springing  from 
the  couch.  "  Now,  old  man,  give  me  your  bear  skin — 
now  your  shoes — your  cap.  Here,  wrap  yourself  in 
mine.  You  need  not  shrink  from  occupying 
Hunyades'  skin  for  a  while,  since  you  have  had 
to-night  a  more  princely  soldier  under  your  blanket. 
Did  you  say  to  the  north  ?  On  the  edge  of  the  camp  ? 
A  boy  and  a  girl  by  the  fire  ;  and  he  ?  " 
The  disguised  general  passed  out. 


CHAPTER  V. 

"  T)Y  the  beard  of  Moses  !  I'll  break  your  head  with 
JD  my  stick  if  you  come  stumbling  over  me  in  that 
way,"  growled  Scanderbeg  from  beneath  his  blanket, 
as  a  peasant-clad  man  tripped  against  his  huge  form 
extended  by  the  camp  fire. 

"  Then  let  the  cold  shrink  your  hulk  to  its  proper 
size,"  replied  the  stranger.  "  But  you  should  thank 
me,  instead  of  cursing  me,  for  waking  you  up  ;  for 
your  fire  is  dying  out,  and  you  would  perish,  sleeping 
in  the  blanket  that  exposes  your  feet  that  it  may  cover 
your  nose.  But  I'll  stir  your  fire  and  put  some  sticks 
on  it,  if  I  may  sit  by  it  and  melt  the  frost  from  my 
beard  and  the  aches  from  my  toes.  But  whom  have 
you  here  ? " 

The  man  stooped  down  and  eagerly  removed  the 
blanket  from  the  partially  covered  faces  of  the 
children. 


36  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

"  Constantine  !  "  he  exclaimed,  "  God  be  praised  ! 
and  Kabilovitsch's  girl, — or  the  starlight  mocks  me  !  " 

"  Father  !  "  cried  the  boy,  waking  and  throwing  his 
arms  about  the  neck  of  the  man  who  stooped  to 
embrace  him. 

"  And  Michael  ?  is  he  here,  too  ?  "  asked  Milosch. 

"  No,  father,"  said  the  child.  "  We  were  parted  at 
the  cave,  and  I  have  not  seen  him  except  in  my 
dream." 

"  In  your  dream,  my  child  ?  In  your  dream  ? 
Jesu  grant  he  be  not  killed,  that  his  angel  spirit  came 
to  you  in  your  dream  !  Did  he  seem  bright  and 
beautiful — more  beautiful  than  you  ever  saw  him 
before — as  if  he  had  come  to  you  from  Paradise  ? 
No  ?  Then  he  is  living  yet  on  the  earth  ;  and  by  all 
the  devils  in  hell  and  Adrianople  !  I  shall  find  him, 
though  I  tear  him  from  the  dead  arms  of  the  traitor 
Castriot  himself,  as  I  was  near  to  taking  you,  my  boy, 
from  the  grip  of  the  Turk  whose  heart  I  pierced  with 
an  arrow  the  day  of  the  fight ; — but  I  was  set  upon 
and  nigh  killed  myself  by  a  score  of  the  Infidels." 

"  And  our  mother  dear  ? "  asked  Constantine.  "  She 
is  safe  ?  " 

"  Ay  !  ay  !  safe  in  heaven,  I  fear,  but  we  will  not 
give  up  hope  until  we  have  searched  our  camps 
to-morrow ;  nor  then,  until  we  have  burned  every 
seraglio  of  the  Turks  from  the  mountains  to  the  sea. 
But  who  brought  you  and  the  lass  here  ? "  asked 
Milosch,  eyeing  the  form  of  the  surly  man  beside  him. 

"  Why,  good  Uncle  Kabilovitsch  did,"  said  the  boy, 
staring  in  amazement  at  the  spot  now  usurped  by  the 
strange  figure  of  Scanderbeg. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  37 

"  Kabilovitsch  went  to  fetch  some  fire-peat  from 
the  gully  I  told  him  of,"  muttered  Scanderbeg. 

"  Yes,  he  is  coming  yonder,"  said  Milosch,  as 
Kabilovitsch's  well-known  hood  and  cape  were  out- 
lined against  the  white  background  of  a  snow-covered 
fir  tree  a  short  distance  off.  "  But  he  has  found  no  fuel. 
Wrap  close,  my  hearties  :  you  will  have  no  more  blaze 
to-night.  Ha !  Kabilovitsch !  "  said  he,  raising  his  voice, 
as  the  familiar  form  seemed  about  to  pass  by.  "  Has 
the  fire  in  your  eye  been  put  out  by  the  cold,  that  you 
cannot  find  your  own  place,  neighbor  ?  I  would  have 
sworn  that,  if  Kabilovitsch  were  blind,  he  could  find  a 
lost  kid  on  the  mountains  ;  and  now  he  hardly  knows 
his  own  nest." 

The  assumed  Kabilovitsch  came  near,  and  gave  an 
awkward  salute,  which,  while  intended  to  be  familiar, 
was  not  sufficiently  unlimbered  of  the  habit  of  authority 
to  avoid  giving  the  impression  that  its  familiarity  was 
only  assumed. 

"  By  the  beard  of  Moses  !  I  had  almost  mistook 
my  own  camp,  now  the  fires  are  smouldering,"  said 
he,  approaching. 

"  He  is  not  Kabilovitsch,"  said  Milosch,  half  to 
himself  and  half  aloud. 

"  No,"  replied  Scanderbeg.  "  But  I'll  go  and  find 
Kabilovitsch.  Perhaps  he  has  more  peat  than  he  can 
carry.  And,  stranger,  I'll  help  you  find  what  you  are 
seeking — for  you  seem  daft  with  the  cold — if  you  will 
help  me  find  him  I  am  to  look  for.  By  the  beard  of 
Moses  !  that's  a  fair  agreement  ;  is  it  not  ?  " 

"  A  strange  swear,  that  !  "  said  Milosch,  looking 
after  the  two  forms  vanishing  among  the  fir  trees.  "  It 


38  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

is  some  watchword,  and  I  like  it  not  among  these 
camp  prowlers.  I  fear  for  Kabilovitsch.  The  new- 
comer wore  his  clothes,  which  I  would  know  if  I  saw 
them  on  the  back  of  the  cardinal  ;  for  good  Helena 
cut  the  hood  for  our  neighbor  as  she  cut  the  skirt  for 
his  motherless  child,  little  Morsinia  there.  Some  mis- 
chief is  brewing.  I  shall  watch  and  not  sleep  a 
wink." 

Had  one  been  lurking  in  the  copse  of  evergreens  to 
which  the  men  withdrew,  he  would  have  overheard 
conversation  of  which  these  sentences  are  parts. 

"Yes,  General  Hunyades,  the  time  has  come.  I 
can  endure  the  service  of  the  Sultan  no  longer.  But 
for  what  I  am  about  to  do  I  alone  am  responsible,  and 
must  decline  to  share  that  responsibility  with  any 
other,  either  Moslem  or  Christian.  I  believe,  Sire,  that 
I  am  in  this  directed  by  some  higher  power  than  my 
own  caprice.  I  am  compelled  to  it  by  invisible  forces, 
as  really  as  the  stars  are  dragged  by  them  through  the 
sky  yonder." 

"  No  star,"  replied  Hunyades,  "  has  purer  lustre 
than  that  of  your  noble  purpose,  and  none  are  led  by 
the  invisible  forces  to  a  brighter  destiny  than  is  Scan- 
derbeg." 

"  Let  not  your  Christian  lips  call  me  Scanderbeg, 
but  Castriot,"  said  his  companion.  "  Yes,  I  believe  that 
my  new  purpose  comes  from  the  inbreathing  of  some 
celestial  spirit,  from  some  mysterious  hearing  the  soul 
has  of  the  inarticulate  voice  of  God.  Else  why  should 
the  thought  of  it  so  strangely  satisfy  me  ?  I  cast  my- 
self down  from  the  highest  pinnacle  of  honor  and 
power  and  riches  with  which  the  Moslem  service  can 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          39 

reward  one  ; — for  I  am  at  the  head  of  the  army,  and 
even  the  Vizier  has  not  more  respect  at  Adrianople 
than  have  I  wherever  the  soldiers  of  the  Sultan  spread 
themselves  throughout  the  world.  To  leave  the 
Padishah  will  be  to  leave  every  thing  for  an  uncertain 
future.  Yet  I  am  more  than  content  to  do  it." 

"  Not  for  an  uncertain  future,  noble  Castriot," 
replied  Hunyades  warmly,  grasping  his  hand.  "  The 
highest  position  in  the  armies  of  Christian  Europe  is 
yours.  My  own  chieftaincy  I  could  demit  without 
regret,  knowing  that  it  would  fall  into  your  hands. 
The  army  of  Italy  you  can  take  command  of  to-mor- 
row if  you  will  ;  for  that  scarlet-knobbed  coxcomb  of 
an  ecclesiastic,  Julian,  is  not  fitted  for  it.  Or  Branko- 
vitch,  the  Servian  Despot,  will  hail  you  as  chief 
voivode.*  You  have  but  to  choose  from  our  armies, 
and  put  yourself  at  the  head  of  whatever  nation  you 
will  :  for  the  legions  will  follow  the  pointing  of  your 
invincible  sword  as  bravely  as  if  it  were  the  sword  of 
Michael,  the  Archangel.  " 

"  No  !  No  !  These  things  tempt  me  not,"  said 
Scanderbeg.  "  I  must  live  only  for  Albania.  That 
strange  spirit  which  counsels  me  comes  into  my  soul 
like  a  pure  blast  from  off  my  Albanian  hills.  The 
voices  that  call  me  are  like  the  dying  voice  of  my 
father,  the  sainted  Duke  John,  who  prayed  then  for 
his  land  and  for  his  son —  for  both  in  the  one  breath 
that  floated  his  soul  to  God.  Let  me  look  again  upon 
the  rocky  fastnesses  of  the  Vitzi,  the  waters  of  little 
Ochrida  and  Skidar,  and  call  them  mine  ;  I  shall  then 
not  envy  even  the  plume  on  your  helmet,  generous 
*  Voivode  ;  a  Servian  and  Albanian  term  for  general. 


40  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

Hunyades  ;  nor  regret  what  I  forsake  among  the 
Moslems,  though  my  estate  were  that  of  the  entire 
empire  which  the  Padishah  sees  in  his  dreams,  when, 
not  the  city  of  Adrian,  but  the  city  of  Constantine 
shall  have  become  his  capital." 

"  Christendom  will  hardly  forgive  the  slight  you  put 
upon  it,  noble  Castriot,  by  declining  some  general  com- 
mand, and  will  soon  grow  jealous  of  your  exclusive 
devotion  to  little  Albania,"  said  Hunyades,  with  evi- 
dent candor. 

"  Christendom  will  not  lose,  but  gain,  thereby," 
replied  Scanderbeg.  "  For  is  not  Albania,  after  all,  a 
key  point  in  the  mighty  battle  which  is  still  to  be 
waged  with  the  Turk  over  these  Eastern  countries  of 
Europe,  from  Adria  to  the  Euxine  ?  " 

"  How  so  ?  "  asked  Hunyades.  "  Have  we  not  this 
day  broken  the  power  of  the  Turk  in  Europe  ?  and  is 
he  not  now  in  headlong  haste  to  the  sea  of  Marmora  ? " 

Scanderbeg  replied  with  slow,  but  ominous,  words  : 

"  General  Hunyades,  the  Moslem  power  was  not  this 
day  broken.  Trust  not  the  semblance.  My  arm  could 
have  hurled  your  soldiers  down  the  northern  declivi- 
ties of  yonder  mountains  with  as  much  ease  as  yours 
shattered  the  Turkish  ranks  at  Vasag  and  Hermann- 
stadt.  The  armies  still  in  front  of  you  wait  but  the 
word  to  assail  your  camp  with  dire  vengeance  for  their 
mysterious  defeat — ay,  mysterious  to  them.  And  the 
Padishah  is  hasting  with  the  hordes  released  by  his 
victories  over  the  Caramanians,  to  join  them.  No, 
Sire,  the  battle  for  empire  on  these  plains,  and  in  Mace- 
donia, and  along  the  Danube,  has  not  ended  :  it  has 
but  just  begun.  And  Albania  will  be  the  key  spot  for 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  41 

a  generation  to  come.  No  Ottoman  wave  can  strike 
central  Europe  but  over  the  Albanian  hills.  A  Chris- 
tian power  entrenched  there  will  be  a  counter  menace 
to  every  invasion  from  the  side  of  the  Moslem,  and  a 
tremendous  auxiliary  in  any  movement  from  the  side 
of  Christendom.  My  military  judgment  concurs  with 
the  voice  of  that  spirit  which  speaks  within  me,  and 
bids  me  as  a  Christian  to  live  for  Albania." 

"  I  see  in  your  plan,"  replied  Hunyades,  "  a  gleam 
of  that  far  wisdom  that  won  for  you  the  title  of  '  The 
eye  of  the  Ottoman,'  as  your  valor  made  you  the 
'  right  hand  of  the  Sultan.'  While  my  view  of  the  rel- 
ative power  of  the  two  civilizations  now  fronting  each 
other  on  our  battle-lines  might  be  different  from  yours, 
and  I  should  place  the  key  point  in  the  great  field  rather 
on  the  lower  Danube  than  so  far  to  the  west,  I  yet 
submit  my  judgment  to  yours.  Assign  to  me  my  part 
in  the  affair  you  would  execute,  and,  my  word  as  a 
soldier  and  a  Christian,  you  shall  have  my  help." 

"  Nay,"  replied  Scanderbeg.  "  As  I  said,  I  can 
share  the  responsibility  of  my  action  with  no  one. 
Grave  charges  will  ring  against  my  name.  My  old 
comrades  will  scorn  my  deed  as  treacherous.  Even 
history  will  fail  to  understand  me.  Let  me  act  alone  ; 
obeying  that  strange  voice  which  will  justify  me,  if  not 
before  men,  at  least  at  the  last  day  of  the  world's  judg- 
ment. The  Moslem  has  wronged  me ;  outraged  my 
humanity ;  slit  the  tongue  of  my  conscience  that  it 
should  not  speak  to  me  of  my  duty ;  and  tried  to  put 
out  the  eyes  of  my  faith.  The  Divinity  bids  me  avenge 
myself.  But  the  vengeance  is  only  mine,  and  God's. 
No  other  hand  must  be  stained  with  the  blood  of  it : 


42  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

least  of  all  thine,  noble  Hunyades.  My  plan  must  be 
all  my  own.  I  only  ask  that,  when  I  have  extricated 
myself  from  Moslem  ties,  I  may  have  the  friendship  of 
,  Hunyades.  Especially  that  the  way  may  be  left  open 
for  my  passing  through  the  places  now  held  by  your 
troops,  without  challenge  and  delay.  All  else  has 
been  arranged  by  a  handful  of  faithful  Albanian 
patriots." 

"  It  shall  be  as  you  desire,  General  Castriot.  Choose 
your  password,  and  it  shall  open  the  way  for  you 
though  it  were  through  the  back  door  of  the  Vatican." 

"  Let  then  the  '  beard  of  Moses  '  be  respected.  My 
trusty  Albanians  are  accustomed  to  it." 

"  Good  !  "  replied  Hunyades.  "  And  I  will  seal  our 
compact  by  taking  Adrianople  in  honor  of  the  depart- 
ure of  its  only  defender." 

"  Nay,"  said  Scanderbeg.  "  It  will  not  be  wise  to 
press  upon  the  capital.  Every  approach  is  guarded 
more  securely  than  were  those  at  Vienna  by  the  Chris- 
tians. The  Padishah's  engineers  are  more  skilful  than 
any  in  the  land  of  the  Frank  or  German.  The  new  com- 
pound of  saltpetre  and  sulphur,  of  which  you  hardly 
know  the  use,  is  buried  beneath  every  gate ;  and 
a  spark  will  burst  it  as  JEtna.  or  Vesuvius.*  Even 
the  valor  of  the  White  Knight  cannot  conquer  the 
soulless  element.  The  black  grains  never  blanch  with 
fear.  No  panic  can  divert  a  stone  ball  hurled  from 
cannon  so  that  it  shall  not  find  the  heart  of  the  bravest. 
I  advise  that  your  armies  pause  awhile  with  the  pres- 
tige of  having  scaled  the  Balkans.  In  a  few  months 
opportunities  may  have  ripened.  Once  I  am  in  Albania, 
*  Gunpowder  was  at  this  time  coming  into  general  use. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  43 

Sultan  Amurath  shall  know  that  the  name  of  Scanderbeg 
— the  Lord  Alexander — was  not  his,  but  Fate's  entitling; 
for,  unless  my  destiny  is  misread,  the  Macedonian  le- 
gions of  the  Great  Alexander  were  not  swifter  than  my 
new  Macedonian  braves  shall  be.  This  will  encourage 
the  Venetians  and  Genoese  ;  and  with  their  navies  on 
the  Hellespont,  the  timid  Palaelogus  pressing  out  from 
his  covert  of  Constantinople,  and  insurrection  every- 
where from  the  Crimea  to  Peloponnesus,  there  will 
not,  a  generation  hence,  be  left  a  turban  in  Europe. 
Believe  me,  General,  the  Turk's  grip  of  nearly  a  cen- 
tury, since  he  pinched  the  continent  at  Gallipoli,  can- 
not be  loosened  in  a  day." 

"  To  no  other  than  Castriot  would  I  yield  my  judg- 
ment ;  and  not  to  him,  but  that  his  words  are  as  con- 
vincing as  his  sword.  Then  so  let  it  be,"  was  the 
reply  of  the  Christian  leader. 

The  Albanian  disappeared. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

TT UNYADES,  closely  muffled  in  his  bear-skin  dis- 
1 1  guise,  returned  to  the  camp. 

"  A  desperate  adventure  that  of  Castriot,"  thought 
he.  "  It  is  well  that  he  permits  no  voice  but  his  own 
to  speak  his  plans,  and  no  ear  but  mine  to  hear 
them. 

"  Hist ! 

"  No  ;  it  is  but  the  ice  crackling  from  the  balsams. 


44  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

Yet  who  knows  what  interlopers  there  may  have  been  ? 
and  if  the  brave  Scanderbeg  may  not  be  hamstrung 
before  he  reaches  his  own  camp  ?  The  ride  will  be 
long  and  rattling  after  he  enters  the  Turkish  lines. 
Will  it  excite  no  suspicion  ?  Nor  his  absence  ?  Heaven 
guard  the  brave  heart,  for  the  very  mole  holes  in  the 
ground  are  the  Sultan's  ears,  into  which  he  drinks  the 
secrets  of  his  soldiers.  By  the  way,  I  must  lift  the 
dirty  cap  from  the  fellow  who  called  me  Kabilovitsch  at 
the  herdsman's  fire  ;  for  the  messenger  who  brought  me 
word  surely  said  that  only  Castriot  and  the  two  chil- 
dren were  there.  Who  may  this  other  one  be  ?  I  must 
discover  ;  and  if  he  knows  aught  he  should  not,  he 
shall  know  no  more  this  side  of  hell-gate,  or  my  dag- 
ger's point  has  grown  so  honest  that  it  has  forgotten 
the  way  to  a  knave's  heart." 

Approaching  the  little  group,  Hunyades  went 
behind  them,  that,  if  possible,  he  might  overhear  some 
words  before  any  persons  there  knew  of  his  presence. 

Milosch  had  been  ill  at  ease  through  the  continued 
absence  of  his  friend  Kabilovitsch,  the  peculiar  action 
of  the  strange  man  who  had  taken  his  place  beneath 
the  blanket,  and  the  apparition  of  the  one  who  wore  the 
cap  and  cape  which  he  thought  he  could  not  mistake. 
There  had  always  been  a  mystery  about  Kabilovitsch's 
early  life,  which  their  long  and  close  neighborly  rela- 
tions upon  the  mountain  had  not  enabled  him  to  solve. 
The  girl,  he  often  thought,  was  of  too  light  a 
build  and  too  fair  featured  to  be  the  child  of  the  moun- 
taineer. The  story  Kabilovitsch  often  told  about  the 
early  death  of  the  child's  mother,  Milosch's  wife 
never  heard  without  impatience  and  a  shrug 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  45 

of  the  shoulders.  Who  was  the  child  ?  Could  there 
be  any  plot  to  carry  her  away  among  persons  who 
knew  the  secret  of  her  birth  ?  Milosch  could  reach 
one  definite  conclusion  about  the  matter,  and  that  was 
that  he  ought  to  guard  the  child  just  now.  So,  with 
senses  made  alert  by  suspicion,  he  heard  the  soft  foot- 
fall of  Hunyades  through  the  crust-broken  snow  ;  and 
though  with  head  averted,  noted  his  stealthy  approach. 
The  caution  observed  by  the  stranger  made  Milosch 
feel  certain  of  the  intended  treachery.  Loosening  the 
short  sheath-knife,  which  hung  by  the  ring  in  its  bone 
handle  from  his  girdle,  he  grasped  it  tightly,  and  with 
a  sudden  bound  faced  the  intruder. 

"  Your  business,  man  ? "  said  he,  eyeing  him  as  a 
hunter  eyes  a  wolf  to  anticipate  the  spring  of  the 
brute,  that  the  knife  may  enter  his  throat  before  the 
fangs  strike. 

"  A  rude  greeting  to  a  neighbor,  that,"  was  the 
quiet  reply. 

"  A  fair  enough  greeting  to  one  who  wears  a  neigh- 
bor's fleece,  and  prowls  by  night  about  his  flock. 
Stop  !  not  a  step  nearer  !  or,  by  the  soul  of  Kabilo- 
vitsch,  whom,  for  aught  I  know,  you  have  murdered, 
I  will  send  you  to  meet  him  !  " 

A  motion  of  the  stranger  toward  his  weapon  was 
anticipated  by  the  mountaineer,  who  gripped  the  in- 
truder with  the  strength  of  a  bear,  pinioning  his  arms 
by  his  sides,  and  falling  with  him  to  the  ground.  In 
an  instant  more,  however,  the  dagger  point  of  his 
antagonist  began  to  penetrate  Milosch's  thigh. 
Clenching  tighter  to  prevent  a  more  deadly  thrust,  he 
felt  beneath  his  opponent's  rough  outer  robe  the  hard 


46  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

corselet  woven  with  links  of  iron — not  the  coarse 
fabric  such  as  was  worn  by  common  soldiers,  but  the 
lighter  steel-tempered  underwear  of  knights  and 
nobles. 

"  You  have  murdered  another  better  than  yourself, 
damned  villain,  and  have  stolen  his  shirt.  But  it  shall 
not  save  you  this  time." 

As  he  let  out  these  words  one  by  one  and  breath  by 
breath,  Milosch  worked  the  knife  into  such  a  hold  that 
he  could  press  it  into  the  back  of  his  antagonist. 
Slowly  but  surely  the  stout  point  made  its  way  between 
the  hard  links  until  the  man's  flesh  quivered  with 
the  pain.  Then  Milosch  hissed  through  his  clenched 
teeth  : — 

"  Who  are  you  ?  If  you  speak  not,  you  die.  If  you 
lie,  let  the  devil  shrive  your  black  soul !  for  I'll  send 
you  to  him  on  the  knife  point.  Speak  !  " 

"  I  am  General  Hunyades,"  replied  the  almost 
breathless  man. 

The  words  relieved  him  from  the  pressure  of  the 
knife,  but  not  from  the  crunching  hug  of  his  captor. 

"  Prove  it  !  "  hissed  Milosch.  "  I  have  heard  that 
Hunyades  has  a  scar  on  the  left  side  of  the  neck. 
Uncover  your  neck  !  " 

Milosch  released  Hunyades'  left  hand  sufficiently 
to  allow  him  to  reach  upward.  In  an  instant  the 
leathern  string  which  bound  the  bear-skin  cape  about 
his  neck  was  broken,  the  lacings  of  a  velvet  jacket 
loosened,  and  the  fingers  of  Milosch  led  over  the 
roughened  surface  of  the  scarred  skin. 

The  herdsman  rose  to  his  knees,  and  kissed  the 
hand  of  the  general. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  47 

"  Strike  thy  dagger  into  me  !  for  I  have  raised  my 
hand  against  the  Lord's  anointed,"  cried  he  in  shame 
and  fear. 

"  Nay,  friend,"  said  the  chief  ;  "  the  fault  was  mine, 
and  yours  shall  be  the  reward  of  the  only  man  who 
ever  conquered  Hunyades.  Your  name,  my  good 
fellow  ? " 

"  Milosch  !  " 

"  Milosch,  the  goatherd  of  the  Pass  ?  I  have  heard 
tell  of  your  strength  ;  how  you  could  out-crunch  a 
bear  ;  I  believe  it.  You  have  been  faithful  to  your 
absent  friend,  as  you  have  been  severe  with  me." 

"  But  what  of  my  friend  Kabilovitsch  ?  You  surely 
wear  his  gear,"  said  Milosch. 

"  Yes,  I  borrowed  these  of  a  passing  stranger — I 
know  not  that  he  be  Kabilovitsch — with  which  I  might 
pass  disguised  among  the  guards.  The  owner  of  this 
cape  and  hood  is  keeping  warm  in  a  tent  hard  by  until 
I  return.  But  whom  have  you  here  ?  " 

"  The  lad  is  mine.  The  lass  is  my  neighbor's.  He 
calls  her  Morsinia,  in  honor  of  your  fair  mother," 
replied  Milosch. 

"  Then  I  must  see  her  face.  She  should  be  fair 
with  such  a  name." 

As  he  raised  the  coarse-knit  hood  which  closely 
wrapped  her,  a  flicker  of  the  dying  fire-light 
illumined  for  an  instant  the  features  of  the  child. 
The  uncombed  mass  of  golden  hair  made  a  natural 
pillow  in  which  lay  a  face  unsurpassed  in  balance  of 
proportion  and  delicacy  of  detail  by  any  sculptor's  art. 
Her  forehead  was  high  and  full,  but  apparently  dimin- 
ished by  the  wealth  of  curling  locks  that  nestled  upon 


48  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

brow  and  temples  ;  her  nose  straight  and  thin,  typi- 
cally Greek  ;  her  lips  firm,  but  arched,  as  with  some 
abiding  and  happy  dream  ;  her  skin,  purest  white, 
tinged  with  the  glow  of  youthful  health,  as  the  snow 
on  the  Balkans  under  the  first  roseate  gleam  of  the 
morning  sun. 

"  A  peasant's  child  ?  "  asked  the  general.  But  with- 
out waiting  for  reply,  continued,  "  No,  by  the  cheek  of 
Venus  !  It  took  more  than  one  generation  of  noble 
culture,  high  thoughts  and  purest  blood,  to  mould 
such  a  face  as  that.  She  was  not  born  in  your  neigh- 
bor's cot  on  the  mountains  ?  Will  you  swear  that  she 
was  ?  No  ?  Then  I  will  swear  that  she  was  not. 
And  the  boy  ?  Ah  !  "  said  he,  scanning  Constantine's 
face.  "  I  know  his  stock.  He  is  a  sprig  of  the  same 
rough  thorn-tree  that  came  near  to  tearing  me  to 
pieces  just  now.  But  his  face  is  gentler  than  yours. 
Yet,  it  is  a  strong  one  ;  very  bold  ;  broad-thoughted  ; 
deep-souled  ;  a  sprig  that  may  bear  even  better  fruit 
than  the  old  one." 

"  Heaven  grant  it  may  !  "  said  Milosch,  fervently. 

"  Yes,  if  you  will  let  me  transplant  it  from  these 
barren  mountains  to  the  gardens  of  Buda  and  the 
banks  of  the  Drave,  it  will  get  better  shelter  than  you 
can  give  it.  The  boy  shall  be  my  protege  for  to-night's 
adventure,  if  his  father  will  enter  my  personal  service. 
You  see,  you  gave  me  so  warm  a  welcome  that  I  am 
loath  to  part  company  with  you,  my  good  fellow." 

"  Heaven  bless  you,  Sire  !  "  replied  Milosch  ;  "  but 
my  heart  will  cling  to  these  cliffs  until  I  know  that  my 
faithful  wife  and  other  boy  are  no  longer  among  them." 

"  I  shall  give  orders  that  the  camp  be  searched," 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  49 

promised  Hunyades.  "  If  they  live,  and  have  not 
been  carried  away  by  the  Turks,  they  must  have 
sought  refuge  somewhere  in  the  host.  Farewell  ! 
When  you  will,  Hunyades  shall  stand  the  friend  of 
Milosch." 

The  apparent  old  herdsman  returned  through  the 
heart  of  the  camp  to  headquarters. 

"  Methinks,  comrade,  that  you  bandied  words  with 
a  greater  than  you  knew,  when  you  teased  the  old 
goatherd  awhile  ago,"  said  a  sentinel,  thrusting  his 
thumb  into  the  side  of  the  spearman  at  the  entrance  to 
the  general's  hut.  Do  you  note  his  mien  as  he  comes 
yonder  ?  That  crumpled  old  bear  skin  cannot  hide 
his  straight  back  ;  nor  those  shoes,  as  big  as  Spanish 
galleons,  break  the  firmness  of  his  tread.  If  the  gust 
of  wind  should  lift  his  cape  you  would  see  at  least  a 
golden  cross  on  his  shoulders.  You  cannot  hide  a 
true  soldier." 

The  bear  skin  passed  between  the  fluttering  canvas 
without  challenge.  Hunyades  made  a  playful  salute 
to  Kabilovitsch,  who  rose  to  meet  him. 

"  I  found  your  camp.  I  have  looked  into  the  face 
of  your  little  daughter." 

"  Mary  save  her  !  "said  the  old  man  with  gratified  look. 

"  I  say  I  saw  your  daughter,  your  daughter,  you 
know,"  said  the  general  again,  quizzing  Kabilovitsch 
with  his  eyes. 

"  Ay,  my  daughter  !  and  the  Virgin  Mother  never 
sent  a  fairer  child,  save  Jesu  himself,  to  prince  or 
peasant." 

"  Come,  now,"  said  the  general,  "  tell  me,  did  the 
Holy  Virgin  send  this  child  to  prince  or  peasant  ?  " 
4 


50  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

"  Why  ?  "  said  Kabilovitsch,  "  these  horny  hands 
should  tell  thee,  Sire,  that  I  was  not  royal 
born." 

"  But  the  girl  may  be,  if  you  were  not.  Is  she  your 
child  ? " 

"  Yes,  my  child,  if  heaven  ever  sent  one  to  man." 

"  But,  tell  me,"  probed  the  general,  "  how  did 
heaven  send  you  the  maiden  ?  Did  the  mother  bring 
her,  or  did  the  angels  drop  her  at  your  door  ?  For, 
if  that  girl  be  your  child,  heaven  did  not  know  you 
even  by  sight  ;  since  it  put  not  a  freckle  of  your  dark 
skin  upon  her  fair  face,  nor  one  of  your  bristles  into 
her  hair.  The  stars  are  not  begotten  of  storm-clouds  ; 
nor  do  I  think  she  is  your  daughter." 

To  this  the  old  man  replied,  more  to  himself  than 
to  his  interrogator,  "  If  she  is  not  mine  by  gift  of 
nature,  she  is  mine  by  gift  of  Him  who  is  above 
nature." 

"  I  will  not  steal  your  secret,"  said  Hunyades. 
"  Her  name  has  excited  my  interest  in  her  and  her 
heaven  given  or  heaven-lent  father.  She  needs  better 
protection  than  you  can  give  her  in  the  camp.  I  will 
send  her  to  headquarters." 

"  I  would  gratefully  put  her  under  your  protection 
for  a  few  days,"  said  Kabilovitsch.  "  My  duty  takes 
me  away  from  her  for  a  while  ;  dangerous  duty,  Sire, 
and  if  I  should  fall—" 

"  If  Kabilovitsch  falls,  Hunyades  will  be  as  true 
father  to  the  lass.  Have  you  any  special  desire  re- 
garding her  or  yourself,  my  brave  man  ?  You  have 
but  to  name  it." 

"  But  one,  Sire,"  replied  Kabilovitsch.  "  That  I  may 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  51 

see  her  safely  conditioned  at  once.  For  it  may  be  that 
before  the  day  dawns  I  shall  be  summoned.  I  serve  a 
cause  as  mysterious  as  the  Providence  which  watches 
over  it." 

"  An  Albanian  mystery  ?  They  are  generally  as 
inscrutable  as  a  thunder  cloud  ;  but  are  revealed  when 
its  lightning  strikes  !  "  replied  Hunyades,  dismissing 
the  old  man,  accompanied  by  two  guards,  who  were 
commissioned  to  obey  implicitly  any  orders  the  herds- 
man might  give  regarding  the  party  of  refugees  by  his 
camp-fire. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Christian  host  prolonged  the  festival  of  the 
1  Nativity  from  day  to  day,  until  the  mustering 
forces  of  the  Ottomans  summoned  them  from  danger- 
ous inactivity  again  to  the  march  and  the  battle.  The 
latter  they  found  at  Mount  Cunobizza,  where  the 
enemy  had  massed  an  enormous  force.  The  Chris- 
tain  army,  with  its  splendid  corps  of  Hungary,  Poland, 
Bosnia,  Servia,  Wallachia,  Italy  and  Germany,  was 
not  a  more  magnificent  array  than  that  of  their  Mos- 
lem opponents.  For  the  most  part  of  the  day  the 
field  was  equally  held,  but  in  the  afternoon  the 
Turkish  left  seemed  to  have  become  inspired  with  a 
strange  fury.  The  Janizaries,  at  the  time  renowned 
as  the  best  disciplined  and  most  desperate  foot- 
soldiers  in  the  world,  were  rivalled  in  celerity  and 
intrepidity,  in  skilful  manoeuvring  and  the  tremendous 


5  2  THE  CA  P  TA  IN  OF  THE  JA  NIZA  RIES. 

momentum  with  which  they  struck  the  foe,  by  other 
Moslem  corps  ;  such  as  the  squadrons  of  cavalry  col 
lected  from  distant  military  provinces,  each  under  its 
Spahi  or  fief -holder  ;  and  the  irregular  Bashi-Baz- 
ouks,  who  seemed  to  have  sprung  from  the  ground  in 
orderly  array.  Their  diverse  accoutrements,  complex- 
ions, and  movements  suggested  the  hundred  arms  of 
some  martial  Briareus,  all  animated  by  a  single  brain. 
The  war  cry  of  "  The  Prophet  !  "  was  mingled  with 
that  of  "  Iscanderbeg  !  "  In  the  thickest  of  the  fight 
appeared  the  gigantic  form  of  the  circumcised  Alban- 
ian, his  gaudy  armor  flashing  with  jewels,*  his  right 
arm  bared  to  the  shoulder,  his  cimeter  glancing  as 
the  lightning.  The  Italian  legions  opposite  him,  upon 
the  Christian  left,  were  hurled  back  again  and  again 
from  their  onslaught,  and  were  pressed  mile  after  mile 
from  the  original  battle  site.  Hunyades  inflicted  a 
compensatory  punishment  upon  the  Moslem  left, 
shattering  its  depleted  ranks  as  a  battering  ram 
crashes  through  the  tottering  walls  of  a  citadel.  The 
chief  of  the  Christians  saw  clearly  Scanderbeg's  planj- 
to  leave  the  victory  in  his  hands,  and  at  the  opportune 
moment  he  wheeled  his  squadrons  to  the  assistance 
of  King  Vladislaus,  thus  combining  in  overwhelming 
odds  against  the  enemy's  centre,  which  Scanderbeg  had 
effectually  drained  of  its  proper  strength.  As  soon, 
however,  as  it  was  evident  that  the  Christians  were 
the  victors,  Scanderbeg,  by  superb  generalship,  inter- 

*  The  old  chronicles  admit,  as  one  weakness  of  Scanderbeg,  a 
fondness  for  personal  decoration. 

f  The  author  adds  these  lines  to  the  meagre  details  of  this  battle 
as  known,  for  the  purpose  of  accounting  for  its  immediate  issue, 
and  for  the  subsequent  events. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  53 

posed  the  Janizaries  between  the  enemy  and  the  tur- 
baned  heads  that,  but  for  this,  were  being  whirled 
in  full  flight  from  the  field.  The  rout  was  changed 
into  orderly  retreat.  Hunyades  found  it  impossible  to 
press  the  pursuit,  and  muttered, 

"  Scanderbeg  commands  both  our  armies  to-day. 
We  can  only  take  what  he  is  minded  to  give." 

At  length  night  looked  down  upon  the  camps.  Few 
tents  were  erected.  Hunyades  sat  for  hours  beneath 
a  tree,  waiting  for  he  knew  not  what  developments. 
On  the  Turkish  side  even  the  Beyler  Beys,  the  highest 
commanders,  were  content  to  stretch  their  limbs  with 
no  other  canopy  than  the  three  horse-tails  at  the 
spear-head,  the  symbol  of  their  rank  and  authority. 
Far  in  the  rear  were  the  few  pavilions  of  the  suite  of 
the  Grand  Vizier,  who  represented  the  absent  Sultan 
Amurath.  Late  into  the  night  the  Vizier  sat  in 
counsel  with  the  Sultan's  Reis  Effendi  or  chief  secre- 
tary, to  whom  was  entrusted  the  seal  of  the  empire. 
He  was  enstamping  the  many  despatches  which  fleetest 
horsemen  carried  to  distant  Spahis,  summoning  them 
with  their  reserves  to  rally  for  the  defence  of  Adrianople. 

Just  before  the  dawn  the  secretary  was  left  alone. 
Even  he,  and,  in  his  person,  the  empire,  must  catch 
an  hour's  sleep  before  the  exciting  and  exacting 
duties  of  the  new  day.  He  reclined  among  his  papers. 
But  a  summons  awakened  him  :  the  messenger 
announcing  Scanderbeg.  The  guards  withdrew  to  a 
respectful  distance  from  the  outside  of  the  tent. 

"  Do  not  rise,"  said  the  general,  gently  pressing  the 
secretary  back  to  his  reclining  posture.  "  I  only  need 
the  imperial  seal  to  this  order." 


54  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

The  secretary  scanned  the  paper  with  incredulous 
eyes.  It  was  a  firman,  or  decree  of  the  Sultan,  pass- 
ing the  government  of  Albania  from  General  Sebaly  to 
Scanderbeg,  with  absolute  powers,  and  ordering  the 
commandant  of  the  strong  fortress  of  Croia  to  place 
all  its  armament  and  that  of  adjacent  strongholds  in 
Scanderbeg's  hand  as  the  viceroy  of  the  Sultan.  As 
the  secretary  lifted  his  face  to  utter  an  inquiry  for 
the  relief  of  his  amazement,  knowing  that  the  Sultan, 
then  absent  in  Asia,  could  not  have  ordered  such  a 
document,  the  strong  hand  of  Scanderbeg  gripped  his 
throat,  and  his  poniard  threatened  his  heart. 

"  The  mark  !  "  whispered  the  assailant. 

The  terrified  man  tremblingly  reached  the  seal,  and 
pressed  it  against  the  wax.  The  weapon  then  did  its 
work,  and  so  suddenly  that  the  secretary  had  no  time 
for  even  an  outcry.  Then  silently,  so  that  the  guards, 
who  were  but  a  few  paces  distant,  heard  no  commo- 
tion, he  laid  the  lifeless  form  on  the  divan,  and  cov- 
ered it  with  the  embroidered  cloak  it  had  worn  when 
living.* 

Passing  out,  Scanderbeg  gave  orders  that  the  tent 
should  not  be  entered  by  the  guards  until  morning,  that 
the  secretary  might  rest.  He  gave  the  password,  "  The 
Kaaba,"  as  sharply  as  if  his  lips  would  take  vengeance 
on  the  once  sacred,  but  now  hated  sound.  His  mili- 
tary staff  joined  him  at  a  little  distance.  Vaulting 
into  the  saddle  he  led  the  way  toward  the  north.  At 
the  edge  of  the  camp  by  a  rude  bridge  he  halted,  and 
said  to  his  attendants, 

*  Some  historians  represent  Scanderbeg  as  having  had  Albanian 
accomplices  in  this  murder. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  55 

"I  meet  at  this  point  the  Beyler  Bey  of  Anatolia, 
whose  staff  will  be  my  escort  to  his  camp.  The 
Padishah's  cause  needs  closest  conference  of  all  the 
commanders  ;  for  treason  is  abroad.  Ah  !  I  hear  the 
escort.  Return  to  quarters,  gentlemen  !  " 

Riding  forward  alone  in  the  direction  of  the  noise, 
he  cried,  "  Who  comes  ? " 

"  The  Kaaba  at  Mecca,"  was  the  response. 

"  Well,  if  the  Kaaba  takes  the  trouble  to  come  to 
me  it  is  a  good  omen,  by  the  beard  of  Moses  !  " 

"By  the  beard  of  Moses  !  "  murmured  a  group  of 
horsemen,  bowing  their  turbaned  heads  in  the  first 
gray  light  of  the  approaching  day.  The  cavalcade 
closed  around  the  fugitive  chieftain,  and  moved  along 
in  silence,  except  to  respond  to  the  sentinels.  As  they 
passed  the  extreme  picket  of  the  Turks  they  halted. 
A  wardrobe  had  been  secreted  in  a  cave  beyond  a 
copse  near  the  road.  Dismounting,  the  men 
exchanged  their  turbans  for  caps  of  wolf  or 
beaver  skin.  Their  gaily  trimmed  jackets,  such  as 
were  worn  by  the  Turkish  foot-soldiers,  gave  place  to 
short  fur  sacks.  Their  flowing,  bag-bottomed  trous- 
ers were  kicked  off,  leaving  abbreviated  breeches  of 
leather.  In  a  few  moments  the  splendidly  uniformed 
suite  of  a  Moslem  bey  was  transformed  into  a  rough, 
but  exceedingly  unique-looking,  band  of  Albanian 
guerillas.  Scanderbeg  assumed  a  helmet,  the  summit 
of  which  carried  as  a  device  the  head  and  shoulders 
of  a  goat — since  the  times  of  Alexander  the  Great  the 
symbol  of  the  powers  in,  or  bordering  upon,  Macedo- 
nia. The  Turkish  uniforms  were  bundled  upon  the 
cruppers  for  future  use. 


5  6  THE  CA  P  TA  IN  OF  THE  JA  NIZA  RIE  S. 

The  men  stood  for  a  moment,  each  by  the  side  of 
his  horse.  At  a  motion  of  the  officer  in  charge  they 
gave  the  salute  ;  touching  their  bared  foreheads,  and 
bowing  to  the  ground.  The  officer  then  approached 
Scanderbeg,  and,  presenting  his  sword,  said  : 

"  Sire  !  to  thee,  as  the  son  of  our  Duke  John,  we 
give  our  swords  together  with  our  hearts  and  our 
lives."  Instantly  every  sword  was  laid  upon  the 
ground  ;  and  the  crisp  air  rattled  with  the  cry,  "  Long 
live  Duke  George  !  A  Castriot  forever  !  " 

Scanderbeg  gazed  silently  for  a  moment  upon  the 
faithful  group.  There  was  no  doubt  of  their  loyalty  : 
for  they  had  proved  it  by  an  adventure  of  rare  daring 
in  penetrating  the  Turkish  camp.  The  face  of  the 
great  general,  usually  masking  so  completely  his 
strongest  feelings,  lost  now  its  rigidity.  His  eyes  were 
moist ;  his  lips  trembled  ;  every  lineament  was  elo- 
quent with  the  emotion  he  could  neither  conceal  nor 
tell  in  words.  After  a  few  moments'  impressive 
silence,  he  returned  the  sword  to  the  officer,  and,  point- 
ing westward,  cried, 

"  Forward  to  Albania  !  " 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

<<rPHANK  Heaven  !  the  plan  did  not  fail,"  said  the 
1       chief  officer,  riding  by  the  side  of  the  fugitive 

general. 

"  In  no  particular  has  it  failed,  Colonel,"  replied 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  57 

Scanderbeg.  "  And  for  this  every  praise  is  due  your 
wise  precautions.  I  have  never  known  better  work  of 
brain  or  nerve.  With  such  grand  soldiers  as  you  and 
your  men,  I  fear  nothing  for  Albania.  But  your  name, 
Colonel  ? " 

"  Moses  Goleme,"  replied  the  officer  courteously. 

Scanderbeg  reined  his  horse,  and  gave  him  his 
hand  heartily.  "  A  man  as  grand  as  he  is  brave ! 
And  do  I  really  look  into  the  face  of  him  whom  I  was 
to  have  sought  out  in  Dibria,  that  I  might  tell  him  his 
words  had  been  to  me  like  a  voice  from  heaven  ? 
Heaven  reward  you,  good  Moses  !  But  you  must  vow 
to  stand  by  me  yet  as  patiently  as  you  have  done 
hitherto — during  my  apostasy.  I  shall  need  your 
charity  still ;  for  I  am  but  a  returning  prodigal ;  a 
half-Christian  ;  a  man  of  strange  ways  ;  of  a  temper 
which  I  understand  not  myself,  and  which  will  disap- 
point you.  Pledge  me  that  you  will  be  my  good 
angel.  Counsel  me  frankly,  fearlessly,  as  a  man 
should  always  counsel  a  man.  Rebuke  me  freely  : 
but  bear  with  me  in  your  heart,  as  you  would  with  a 
child." 

"  I  may  not  advise  the  most  capable  general  in  the 
world,"  replied  Moses  Goleme.  "  I  vow  to  obey. 
Let  that  be  my  part.  As  I  have  already  imperilled 
my  estates  by  open  opposition  to  the  Turkish  rule, 
and  given  my  life  to  the  liberty  of  my  country,  so  I 
offer  all  to  thee,  Sire,  the  sovereign  of  my  heart,  until 
you  shall  be  acknowledged  the  sovereign  of  Albania, 
and  a  new  empire  be  founded  on  the  east  of  the 
Adriatic  which  shall  take  the  place  of  the  decaying 
powers  of  Italy  on  the  west." 


58  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

"The  task  your  patriotism  proposes  is  vast,"  replied 
Scanderbeg  ;  "  too  vast  for  one  man  and  one  life- 
time." 

"  Too  great  for  any  but  the  great  Castriot  !  " 
was  the  answer,  evidently  as  honest  as  it  was  rever- 
ent. "  But  you  do  me  too  much  honor,  General,  in 
praising  my  plan  of  meeting  you.  I  was  ably  seconded 
by  my  men,  and  especially  by  two  of  them.  One  of 
them  was  wounded." 

"  I  trust  you  speak  not  of  a  brave  fellow  who 
brought  me  the  time  and  place  of  the  rendezvous  : 
for  I  never  saw  such  strength  and  daring  in  my 
life." 

"  The  same,  I  fear,"  said  Moses.  "  A  Servian,  whom 
I  had  not  known  before  yesterday.  But  he  was  boil- 
ing over  with  rage  for  the  slaughter  of  his  family,  and 
commended  to  me  by  our  most  trusted  scout." 

"  Did  he  tell  you  how  he  found  me  out,  and  com- 
municated your  plan  to  me  ?  " 

"  No,  for  he  was  too  severely  hurt  to  speak 
much." 

"  I  will  tell  that  part  for  him,  then,"  said  Scander- 
beg. "  It  was  in  the  hottest  of  the  fight.  My  own 
body-guard  was  thrown  into  confusion.  A  fellow, 
clad  like  one  of  my  own  staff,  crowded  close  to  my 
side.  His  horse  actually  rested  against  my  own,  and 
I  would  have  severed  his  head  from  his  shoulders  for 
his  impudent  valor,  had  not  his  oath  at  his  beast  been 
'  by  the  beard  of  Moses  !  '  Seeing  that  I  observed  it  he 
grunted,  '  At  the  brook  to  the  north  !  '  as  he  dodged 
the  circles  of  the  cimeters  ;  and  '  Near  the  Roman 
road  ! '  he  hissed  as  he  pared  the  cap  from  a 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  59 

Christian's  head  with  his  sword  ;  and  '  At  the  ninth 
hour  to-night  ! '  he  shouted  as  he  parried  a  thrust. 
Before  I  had  breathing  space — for  I  was  closely  beset 
at  the  time — he  had  gone  ;  borne  back  by  a  Spahi,* 
who  envied  him  his  place  and  emulated  his  valor. 
But  he  was  not  skilful  in  using  his  weapon  or 
managing  his  horse.  I  am  grieved,  but  not  surprised, 
at  his  receiving  hurt.  I  thought  he  must  have  fallen. 
But  who  was  the  other  ?  " 

"  Yonder  old  fellow  with  a  huge  green  turban  on 
the  saddle  before  him.  If  his  brain  were  as  big  as  his 
head-piece,  he  could  not  have  planned  better.  He 
has  dwelt  about  here  lately." 

"  I  must  thank  him  in  person,"  said  Scanderbeg, 
riding  back  toward  him. 

"  What !  "  he  exclaimed  as  the  full  daylight  fell 
upon  the  man's  features,  "  Kabilovitsch  ?  " 

The  old  man  diverted  Scanderbeg's  compliments  by 
an  expression  of  solicitude  for  Milosch,  whom  he  had 
permitted  to  undertake  the  desperate  venture  already 
narrated,  although  until  a  few  days  before  he,  being  a 
Servian,  had  no  knowledge  of  the  project  of  the 
Albanians. 

"  We  must  haste,  Sire,"  said  Moses.  "  It  is  advised 
that  you  cross  to  the  north  of  the  pass  in  the  Balkans, 
and  take  thence  the  valley  way  between  Caratova  and 
the  Egrisu.  A  message  from  General  Hunyades 
informs  me  that  relays  can  be  provided  along  the 
road,  and  that  every  facility  shall  be  given  us." 

"  Kabilovitsch  will  accompany  us  ? "  asked  Scan- 
derbeg. 

*  Spahi  ;  master  of  cavalry. 


60  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

11  On  one  condition,  Sire,"  replied  the  old  man. 
"  My  little  daughter  must  go  with  me  :  a  lass  of  ten 
spring  tides — " 

"  Impossible !  for  our  ride  must  be  night  and 
day." 

"  Then  I  may  follow,  but  cannot  accompany  you," 
said  Kabilovitsch. 

"  I  need  such  men  as  you  with  me.  No  true 
Albanian  will  delay  for  a  child.  Country  must  be 
child  and  mother  to  us  all,"  said  the  general. 

The  cheeks  of  Kabilovitsch  whitened  ;  his  eyes 
flashed.  Looking  Scanderbeg  squarely  in  the  face,  he 
said  quietly,  but  putting  intention  into  every 
word, 

"  George  Castriot  may  lead,  but  may  not  rebuke 
the  patriots  who  have  watched  for  Albania  with  sacri- 
fices he  knows  not  of,  while  he  has  been  among  our 
country's  enemies.  An  old  man,  thy  father's  friend 
before  thou  wast  born,  may  say  that,  Sire." 

Scanderbeg  grew  pale  in  turn.  He  had  been  unac- 
customed to  brook  insubordination,  however  right- 
eous. Who  had  dared  to  question  him  ?  Who  to  fling 
the  taunt  into  his  face  ?  The  hot  words  were  upon 
his  lips.  But  he  paused,  at  first  from  the 
mere  habit  of  self-restraint.  Then,  because  he  was 
a  wise  man,  and  realized  that  he  was  no  longer  the 
tyrant,  with  power  of  life  and  death  over  his  soldiers 
— men  who  had  been  hired,  stolen,  impressed  into  the 
service,  and  transformed  into  mere  machinery  of  flesh 
and  blood — but  was  to  be  the  public  liberator  of  a  people 
every  man  of  whom  was  already  as  free  as  he.  Then, 
he  had  become  a  just  man.  Strange  and  sanguinary 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  61 

as  had  been  the  events  accompanying  his  desertion  of 
the  Turks,  he  had  taken  this  step  only  after  a  deep 
moral  struggle.  He  had  revolted  from  his  own  past 
life  ;  and  felt  an  inward  disgrace  for  what  had  been 
his  outward  glory — the  service  of  the  Moslem  ;  he 
despised  himself  more  than  any  other  person  could. 
It  was  this  sense  of  the  justice  of  Kabilovitsch's 
rebuke  that  checked  the  rage  which  had  blanched  his 
face,  and  sent  the  flush  to  his  temples,  as  he  slowly, 
replied,  "  I  bow  to  the  merited  chastisement  of  your 
words.  Your  years  and  your  better  life  give  you 
license  to  utter  them.  My  future  shall  atone  for  the 
past.  But  cannot  your  child  be  left  safely  where  she 
is?" 

"  She  is  safe  where  she  is  ;  but  I  may  not  leave  her 
without  providing  for  her  future.  Milosch  is  lying  in 
a  cottage  but  a  little  before  us.  If  his  wounds  are 
not  fatal — as  I  believe  they  are  not,  though  the  leech 
thought  otherwise — I  may  bring  the  girl  to  him,  and 
still  overtake  you  before  you  come  in  sight  of  the 
Black  Mountains.  I  can  cross  this  country  by  paths 
through  which  I  could  not  direct  you.  During  many 
years,  for  justice's  sake  and  our  country's,  I  have 
wandered  over  these  mountains  where  only  the  eagle's 
shadow  has  fallen." 

"  I  will  stop  with  you  at  the  cottage,"  said  Scander- 
beg,  "  for,  though  the  moments  are  precious,  I  would 
bless  the  brave  fellow  for  his  work  yesterday." 

There  were  several  wounded  Christian  soldiers  at 
the  little  hovel.  A  Greek  monk  was  administering 
both  spiritual  and  physical  comfort ;  for  Rilo  Monas- 
tir  had  sent  its  inmates  along  the  track  of  the 


62  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

Christian  army  in  spite  of  the  insults  of  the  Latin 
soldiers,  who,  though  in  sight  of  the  common  enemy 
of  their  faith,  could  not  repress  the  meanness  of  their 
sectarian  jealousy  and  hatred.  Milosch  was  doing 
well.  His  wounds  were,  one  in  the  fleshy  part  of  the 
shoulder,  the  other  a  contusion  on  the  head,  from  a 
blow  which  had  stunned  him.  A  few  weeks  would 
put  him  again  upon  his  feet,  though  perhaps  his  fight- 
ing days  were  over  ;  for  the  flesh  wound  lay  across 
an  important  muscle,  and  would  permanently  destroy 
the  strength  of  the  right  arm. 

Milosch  fell  in  with  the  proposition  of  Kabilovitsch 
regarding  Morsinia.  Though  a  Servian,  he  had  lost 
interest  in  his  own  country  because  of  the  vacillating 
course  of  the  Despot,  George  Brankovitch,  who  was 
half  Christian  and  half  Moslem,  according  to  the  policy 
of  the  moment.  Milosch  would  identify  himself  with 
the  cause  of  Albania,  for  which  he  had  already  done 
and  suffered  so  much. 

The  two  men  entered  into  what  is  known  among 
the  Servians  and  Albanians  as  "  Brotherhood  in  God," 
covenanting  in  the  name  of  God  and  St.  John  to 
devote  their  lives,  each  to  the  other,  and  both  to  their 
common  cause.  The  compact  was  sealed  by  each 
putting  the  left  hand  upon  the  other's  heart,  and 
holding  up  the  right  hand  in  invocation  of  the  Divine 
witness.  Kabilovitsch  said  : 

"  My  brother,  I  commit  to  thy  keeping  our  daughter, 
Morsinia,  thine  and  mine,  from  henceforth.  She  is 
all  I  have  but  life  to  share  with  thee,  which  also  I 
freely  give." 

To  this  Milosch  replied  : 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  63 

"  My  brother,  I  commit  to  thy  keeping  our  boy, 
Constantine,  thine  and  mine  from  henceforth.  He  is 
all  I  have  that  I  wot  of  to  share  with  thee,  but  my  life 
which — God  spare  it — I  freely  give." 

"  Bismallah  !  "  *  said  Scanderbeg.  "  And  if  the 
girl  and  the  boy  were  the  ones  I  saw  asleep  in  each 
other's  arms  by  the  fire  the  other  night,  the  compact 
is  good  for  two  generations  at  least." 

It  was  agreed  that,  upon  his  sufficient  recovery, 
Milosch  should  bring  the  children  from  the  camp  of 
Hunyades  to  Albania. 

The  ride  by  the  Vitosh  and  Rilo  Mountains  where 
the  mighty  ranges  of  the  Balkans,  the  Upper  Mcesian, 
and  the  Rhodope  are  thrown  close  together,  was 
sufficiently  grand  to  engross  the  eye  and  mind  of  the 
dashing  riders.  Thus  most  of  the  day  was  passed  in 
silence,  broken  only  by  the  clatter  of  the  horses'  hoofs 
against  the  rocks  ;  the  roar  of  cascades  making  their 
awful  plunge  hundreds  of  feet  from  the  precipices  ; 
the  complaint  of  rivers  far  down  at  the  bottom  of 
ravines,  fretting  beneath  the  prison  roof  of  ice  and 
snow  ;  and  glorious  pines,  pluming  the  brow  of  crag 
and  ledge,  through  which  the  everlasting  winds 
breathed  the  dirge  over  fallen  empires  of  men. 

As  they  forced  their  way  up  a  long  and  tedious 
ascent,  Scanderbeg  joined  Kabilovitsch  and  said  : 

"  To  relieve  the  tedium  of  this  slow  part  of  the  jour- 
ney you  must  tell  me  about  that  lass  you  would  not 
leave  for  the  love  of  Albania.  A  sweet  face  as  I  saw 
it.  I  could  have  run  off  with  it  myself,  had  I  not 
other  business  on  hand.  And  I  can  pardon  a  father's 
*  Bismallah  ;  "  Please  God,"  a  Turkish  common  exclamation. 


64  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

heart  for  clinging  very  closely  to  such  a  child.  You 
will  forget  my  rude  speech  a  while  ago.  I  played  with 
a  little  lass  like  that  when  I  was  a  boy.  The  face  of 
your  child,  that  night  I  watched  for  you,  carried  me 
back  to  those  happy  days.  I  could  see  my  little 
sweet-heart  in  her  ;  though  thirty  years  have  thrown 
their  shadows  of  dark  events  across  my  memory." 

Kabilovitsch  turned  familiarly  to  Scanderbeg  with 
the  query, 

"  May  I  read  your  thoughts,  Sire  ?  " 

"  Yes,  he  is  welcome  to  do  so  who  can  find  my  soul 
beneath  this  battered  face." 

"  That  child  was  the  fair  Mara,  the  daughter  of  the 
noble  George  Cernoviche,  whose  castle  ruins  lie  now 
by  the  shore  of  Ochrida.  Am  I  not  right  ?  " 

"  Right  !  but  I  knew  not  of  the  fall  of  her  father's 
house.  Can  you  tell  me  aught  of  the  history  of  my 
little  maiden.  If  she  lives,  she  must  be  a  goodly 
matron  now." 

"  Yes,  I  can  tell  her  story  and  more.  She  married 
the  noble  Musache  de  Streeses,  whose  castle  once 
stood  near  the  Skadar."* 

"  Ah  !  I  have  heard  of  his  sad  fate,"  replied  the 
general.  "  Oh,  for  vengeance  on  these  villains  who  have 
despoiled  the  land  !  Musache  de  Streeses  was  the 
richest  of  all  the  land-owners  on  the  coast  of  Adria, 
the  soul  of  honor,  a  genuine  patriot,  with  whom  my 
father  held  confidential  intercourse.  His  purse  and 
sword  were  freely  offered  for  service  against  the  Turk. 
It  was  a  favorite  scheme  of  my  father  to  some  day 
unite  our  families.  I  hear  that  my  nephew, 

*  Lake  Scutari. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  65 

Amesa,  has  become  possessed  of  those  estates,  being 
also  nephew  to  De  Streeses,  who  was  slain  by  the 
Turks.  But  my  fairy,  Mara,  you  said  was  married  to 
De  Streeses.  It  was  she,  then,  who,  with  her  infant 
child,  was  killed  by  the  Turks  during  the  raid  ? " 

"  Noble  Castriot  !  De  Streeses  and  the  Lady  Mara 
were  murdered,  foully,  treacherously,"  said  the  old 
man,  reining  his  horse,  and  speaking  with  terrible 
passion. 

"  Oh,  to  take  vengeance  !  "  exclaimed  Scanderbeg. 
"  By  the  fair  face  of  Mara  !  this,  with  the  thousand 
other  murders  of  these  years,  shall  be  washed  out,  if 
my  sword  drains  a  myriad  veins  of  Turkish  blood  to 
make  sure  of  his  who  struck  so  brutal  a  blow  !  " 

"  Your  sword  need  not  search  so  wide  as  that," 
said  Kabilovitsch.  "  The  family  of  De  Streeses  were 
murdered  by  hands  we  both  know  but  too  well." 

"  How  know  you,  Kabilovitsch  ?  " 

The  man  removed  his  cap  as  if  inviting  the  inspec- 
tion of  his  face,  and,  lowering  his  voice,  replied, 

"  I  am  not  Kabilovitsch,  I  am  Arnaud." 

"  Arnaud,  the  forester  of  De  Streeses  ?  Arnaud, 
whose  shoulders  I  bestrode  before  I  ever  mounted  a 
steed  ?  "  exclaimed  Scanderbeg,  turning  his  horse  and 
stopping,  but  at  his  companion's  motion  indicating 
caution,  lowering  his  tone,  and  moving  close  beside 
him. 

"  The  same,  Sire.  And  the  Turks  who  murdered  the 
nobleman  and  his  beautiful  wife  were  not  such  Turks 
as  you  have  been  accustomed  to  command.  Too 
white  of  skin  and  too  black  of  heart  were  they.  I 
would  not  say  this,  but  that  I  give  you  also  my  reasons 
5 


66  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

for  so  grave  an  accusation.  Turks  in  raiding  do  not 
discriminate  in  their  depredations  ;  but  these  harmed 
not  a  leaf  beyond  the  castle  of  De  Streeses.  Nor  do 
Turks  swear  by  St.  John,  as  I  heard  one  of  them  do 
as  he  cursed  a  fellow  villain  for  some  slip  in  the  plan. 
Nor  again  would  Turks,  seeking  only  for  plunder, 
have  shown  as  much  eagerness  to  kill  the  little  babe 
as  they  did  to  slay  its  father  ;  and  this  they  did,  search- 
ing even  among  the  ashes  for  evidence  that  the  tiny 
bones  had  been  sufficiently  charred  to  prevent  their 
recognition.  But  the  child  was  not  in  the  castle  at  the 
time.  My  good  wife  was  suckling  it — the  Lady  Mara 
being  of  delicate  condition — and  that  night  the  babe 
was  at  the  lodge.  As  soon  as  the  commotion  was 
heard  at  the  castle  the  child  was  hidden  in  the  copse." 

"  But  where  is  this  child  now  ?  "  asked  Scanderbeg 
eagerly. 

"  You  have  gazed  upon  her  by  my  camp-fire,  sire  ; 
and  your  soul  saw  in  her  face  that  of  the  sainted 
Mara,  though  your  eyes  detected  her  not." 

"  And  you  know  the  perpetrator  of  this  damnable 
deed  ?  "  asked  Scanderberg. 

"  I  may  not  say  I  know,  since  your  noble  father 
refused  to  believe  that  any  other  than  Turkish  hands 
did  it.  But  he  who  possesses  the  estate  now  knows 
too  much  of  this  affair  to  thank  God  in  his  prayers 
for  his  inheritance.  I  saved  the  child  ;  yet  Lord 
Amesa  has  sworn  that  once  a  Turk  who  fell  beneath 
his  sword  in  a  private  brawl  confessed  to  him  that  his 
hands  had  strangled  the  infant  on  the  night  of  the 
raid.  Some  one  interested  had  suspicion  of  where  the 
truth  lay,  for  my  own  cot  was  raided,  and  my  wife 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  67 

slain  one  night  during  my  absence.  But  the  child 
was  safe  elsewhere.  Since  then,  knowing  that  her  life 
was  secure  only  through  her  being  secreted,  I  have 
been  a  wanderer.  A  price  was  secretly  set  upon  my 
head  by  Amesa.  In  the  mountains  of  Macedonia,  in 
the  pass  of  the  Balkans,  have  I  kept  watch  over  my 
sacred  charge.  I  want  not  to  see  Albania,  but  as  I 
can  see  justice  done  in  Albania.  Therefore  I  said  I 
would  go  only  if  the  lass  might  go  with  me,  and  under 
the  strong  protection  of  a  Castriot  who  knows  the 
truth,  whose  very  soul  recognized  the  child  of  Mara." 

"  The  child's  life  shall  be  as  sacred  to  me  as  if 
Mara  had  become  my  wife  as  she  vowed  in  her  play, 
and  the  child  were  my  own,"  said  Scanderbeg.  "  But 
this  perplexes  our  cause.  Amesa  is  one  of  our 
bravest,  wiliest  voivodes.  To  antagonize  him  with 
this  old  charge  would  imperil  my  reception  with  the 
people  and  the  liberty  of  our  land.  But  I  pledge  you, 
my  good  Arnaud,  that  though  vengeance  waits,  it 
shall  not  sleep.  In  the  time  when  it  shall  be  most 
severe  upon  the  offender,  and  most  honorable  to  the 
name  of  Albanian  justice,  the  bolt  shall  fall." 

It  was  readily  foreseen  by  both  that  only  at  the  peril 
of  her  life  could  Morsinia  be  allowed  to  accompany  her 
foster  father,  Arnaud  or  Kabilovitsch,  to  the  camp  of 
Castriot.  The  former  forester  would  be  recognized  and 
suspicion  at  once  excited  as  to  the  person  of  his  ward. 
It  was,  therefore,  determined  that  she  should  be 
domiciled  safely  in  a  little  hamlet  on  the  borders  of 
Albania,  where  her  history  was  unknown  ;  and  that,  to 
elude  suspicion,  Milosch  and  the  boy,  Constantine, 
should  accompany  her,  as  her  father  and  brother, 


68  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

neither  of  whom  knew  her  true  history.  The 
"  Brotherhood  in  God  "  between  Kabilovitsch  and  his 
old  neighbor  gave  sufficient  warrant  for  Milosch's 
claim  to  paternity. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

BUT  while  these  refugees  from  the  little  hamlet  on 
the  mountains  were  so  favored  of  good  Providence, 
what  of  the  others  ?  Our  story  must  return  to  the  day 
of  the  battle  in  the  Pass  of  Slatiza.  MotherHelenafell 
beneath  the  sword  of  a  Turk  while  defending  herself 
from  his  insults.  The  boy,  Michael,  with  arms  bound 
above  the  elbows  and  drawn  back  so  that,  while 
retaining  the  use  of  his  hands,  he  could  not  free  him- 
self, was  driven  along  with  others  under  guard  of  sev- 
eral soldiers.  As  they  descended  the  mountains  the 
band  of  captives  was  steadily  increased  by  contributions 
from  the  cottages  and  hiding  places  along  the  way. 
They  were  mostly  boys  and  girls,  the  old  men  and 
women  having  been  slain  or  left  to  perish  in  the  utter 
desolation  which  marked  the  track  of  the  army. 
Some  of  the  captives  were  children  too  young  to 
endure  the  tramp,  and  were  carried  upon  the  horses 
of  the  mounted  soldiers.  No  one  was  treated  unkindly. 
After  the  first  day  their  bands  were  untied  so  that 
they  moved  without  weariness.  They  shared  the  best 
of  the  soldiers'  rations — sometimes  feasting  while 
their  captors  fasted — and  were  snugly  wrapped  in  the 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  69 

blankets  by  the  camp-fires  at  night.  The  daily  march, 
after  the  Christian  army  had  abandoned  the  pursuit, 
was  of  but  a  few  miles,  with  long  intervals  for  rest. 
Indeed,  Michael  thought  that  the  troopers  were  more 
anxious  about  his  being  kept  in  good  condition,  even 
in  fresh  and  comely  appearance,  than  Mother  Helena 
would  have  been.  As  they  approached  Philippopolis 
they  were  all  made  to  wash  at  a  stream.  Their  matted 
locks  were  combed  : — a  hard  job  with  the  mass  of 
rebellious  red  bristles  which  stood  about  Michael's 
head,  like  a  nimbus  on  the  wooden  image  of  some 
Romish  saint.  In  some  instances  the  captors  went 
into  the  city  and  returned  with  pretty  skirts  of  bright 
colored  wool  or  silk,  and  caps  made  of  shells  and 
beads  for  the  girls.  Fantastic  enough  were  the  cos- 
tumes and  toilets  which  the  rough  old  troopers  forced 
upon  the  little  maidens  ;  but  if  they  were  pleasing  to 
the  captors  they  would  prove,  perhaps,  as  pleasing  to 
the  rough  slave  buyers  in  the  market  square  of 
Philippopolis,  who  purchased  the  girls  for  disposal 
again  at  the  harems  of  the  capital.  An  officer  of 
excise  presided  over  these  sales,  and,  before  the  prop- 
erty was  delivered  to  the  purchaser,  retained  one- 
fifth  the  price  as  the  share  of  the  Sultan.  If  any  of 
the  girls  were,  in  the  judgment  of  the  officer,  of  pecu- 
liar beauty  or  promise,  they  were  reserved  for  the 
royal  harem  ;  the  value  of  them  being  paid  to  their  cap- 
tors out  of  the  tax  levied  upon  the  others.  This  gave 
occasion  for  the  extravagant  and  often  ludicrous  cos- 
tumes in  which  the  diverse  tastes  of  the  soldiers 
arrayed  their  captives  for  the  contest  of  beauty. 

The  boys,  however,  were  not,  sold.     They  were  the 


70  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

special  property  of  the  Sultan,  to  be  trained  as  Jani- 
zaries for  military  service,  or  employed  in  menial 
positions  about  the  royal  seraglio.  The  captors  received 
rewards  according  to  the  number  and  goodly  condi- 
tion of  the  lads  they  brought  in. 

The  band  of  boys  to  which  Michael  was  attached 
was  marched  at  once  to  Adrianople.  Several  hundreds 
were  gathered  in  a  great  square  court,  which  was 
surrounded  by  barracks  on  three  sides,  and  on  the 
fourth  faced  the  river  Marissa.  A  great  soup  kettle, 
the  emblem  of  the  Janizary  corps,  was  mounted 
upon  a  pole  in  the  centre  of  the  square,  and 
seemed  to  challenge  the  honors  of  the  gilt  star  and 
crescent,  the  emblem  of  royalty,  that  gleamed  from 
the  tall  staff  in  an  adjacent  court  of  the  seraglio. 
There  were  scattered  about  utensils  for  domestic  use  ; 
the  tools  of  carpenters,  blacksmiths,  armorers,  harness- 
makers  and  horse-sheers  ;  old  swords,  battered  helmets, 
broken  wagons,  bow-guns,  the  figure  heads  of  veteran 
battering  rams  ;  indeed  all  the  used  and  disused  evi- 
dences that  within  these  walls  lived  a  self-sustaining 
community,  able  to  provide  for  themselves  in  war  or 
in  peace. 

For  several  days  the  new  boys  were  fed  with  delic- 
ious milk  and  meats,  prepared  by  skilful  hands  of  old 
soldiers,  who  knew  the  art  of  nursing  the  sick  almost 
as  well  as  they  knew  that  of  making  wounds.  For  a 
few  nights  the  lads  slept  upon  soft  divans,  until  every 
trace  of  weariness  from  the  journey  had  disappeared. 
They  were  then  stripped  naked  and  examined  care- 
fully by  the  surgeons.  If  one  were  deformed,  or  ill- 
proportioned,  or  failed  to  give  promise  of  a  strong 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  71 

constitution,  he  was  taken  away  to  be  trained  as  a 
woinak  or  drudge  of  the  camps.  Perhaps  three-fourths 
of  the  entire  number  in  Michael's  company  were  thus 
branded  for  life  with  an  adverse  destiny. 

The  more  favored  lads  were  graded  into  ojaks,  or 
messes  ;  and  among  them  were  daily  contests  in  run- 
ning and  wrestling,  according  to  the  results  of  which 
the  ojaks  were  constantly  changing  their  members  ; 
the  strongest  and  most  agile  living  together  in  honorary 
distinction  from  their  fellows. 

The  officers  in  charge  of  these  Janizary  schools  were 
old  or  crippled  men,  whom  years  or  wounds  had 
rendered  unfit  for  service  in  the  field,  and  who  were 
assigned  to  the  easier  task  in  compensation  for  past 
fidelity.  The  spirit  of  the  veterans  was  thus  infused  into 
the  young  recruits  by  constant  contact  and  familiarity 
with  them  ;  and  the  rigid  habits  of  the  after  service 
were  acquired  almost  insensibly  through  the  daily  drill 
and  discipline. 

Michael's  rugged  health  and  mountain  training 
enabled  him  to  advance  rapidly  through  the  various 
grades.  Though  almost  the  youngest  in  his  company, 
he  was  the  first  in  the  race,  and  no  one  could  take  him 
from  his  feet  in  the  wrestling  match. 

"  A  sturdy  little  Giaour,"  said  old  Selim,  a  fat  and 
gouty  Janizary,  the  creases  of  whose  double  chin  were 
good  companions  to  the  sabre-scar  across  his  cheek. 

"  Ay,  tough  and  handy  !  "  responded  Mustapha, 
an  old  captain  of  the  corps,  ogling  Michael  with  his 
widowed  eye,  and  stroking  his  beard  with  his  equally 
bereaved  hand,  as  he  watched  the  boy  wriggling  from 
beneath  to  the  top  of  a  companion  nearly  double  his 


72  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

size.  "  If  the  little  fellow  is  as  agile  in  wit  as  he  is  in 
limb  he  will  not  long  be  among  the  Agiamoglans.*  A 
splendid  build  !  broad  in  the  shoulders  ;  deep-chested, 
but  not  flat  ;  narrow  loins  ;  compact  hips — just  the 
make  of  a  lion.  As  lithe  a  lad  as  you  were  once,  my 
now  elephantine  Selim,  when  Bajazet  stole  you  from 
your  Hungarian  home.  Ah  !  you  have  changed  some- 
what since  the  old  Padishah  had  you  for  his  page.  I 
remember  when  your  waist  was  as  trim  as  a  squirrel's 
— but  now — from  the  look  of  your  paunch  I  would 
think  you  were  the  soldier  who  drank  up  the  poor 
woman's  supper  of  goat's  milk,  and  had  his  belly 
ripped  open  by  the  Padishah  to  discover  his  guilt,  f 
Only  goat's  milk  swells  like  that.  Let  us  see  if  some 
of  the  butter  sticks  not  yet  to  your  ribs,"  said  the  old 
soldier,  making  a  pass  at  his  comrade's  midd)e. 

"  That's  not  a  true  soldier's  pass,  to  strike  so  low," 
said  Selim,  laughing.  "  But  you,  Mustapha,  were  once 
a  better  runner  than  yon  lad  will  ever  be." 

"  I  was  as  good  with  my  legs  as  with  my  arms," 
replied  the  veteran,  pleased  with  the  compliment,  and 
fondling  his  bare  calves  with  his  hand.  "  But  at  what 
match  did  you  see  me  run  ?  " 

"  I  only  saw  you  run  once,"  said  Selim,  "  and  that 
was  at  Angora,  when  Timour  the  LameJ  was  after  you 
to  get  your  ugly  head  for  the  pyramid  of  skulls  he  left 
there  as  a  monument.  But  see  the  lad  !  He  tosses 
the  big  one  as  a  panther  topples  an  ox.  We  have  not 
had  his  match  in  the  school  since  Scanderbeg  was  a  boy. '' 

*  The  Inexpert,  or  lower  grade  of  Janizaries. 

f  An  incident  narrated  in  Turkish  history. 

\  Timour-lenk  or  Timourlane;  Timour  the  Lame. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  73 

••'  Poor  Scanderbeg  !  "  said  Mustapha. 

"  How  now  !  "  inquired  Selim,  "  is  there  any  news 
from  him  ?  " 

"  Yes.  He  has  met  his  first  defeat.  He  was  in 
command  at  the  last  battle  under  the  Balkans.  Caram- 
bey  got  fast  in  a  bog,  in  the  first  battle,  and  Scander- 
beg was  unable  to  redeem  the  defeat  in  the  second. 
But  he  lived  not  to  know  it.  He  sent  a  host  of  gib- 
bering Giaour  ghosts  to  hell  while  on  his  way  to  heaven. 
'  In  the  crossing  of  the  cimeters  there  is  the  gate  of 
paradise,'  says  the  Koran  ;  and,  though  his  body 
could  not  be  found,  he  went  through  the  gate,  beyond 
a  doubt." 

"  That  is  a  loss,  comrade,  the  Padishah  can  never 
make  good  with  any  man  in  the  service.  But  have 
you  not  noted,  Mustapha,  that  Scanderbeg  never 
fought  so  well  against  Christians  as  against  the  Cara- 
manians,  the  Kermians  and  rebellious  Turks.  In 
Anatolia  I  have  seen  his  lips  burst  with  blood,*  through 
sheer  rage  of  fight  ;  but  in  Servia  he  seemed  listless 
and  without  heart  for  the  fray.  The  Grand  Vizier 
has  noted  it,  and  twitted  him  with  remembering  too 
well  that  he  was  Christian  born." 

"  And  how  did  he  take  that  ?  " 

"  Why,  the  color  came  to  his  face  ;  his  lips  swelled  ; 
his  whole  body  shook  ; — just  as  I  have  seen  him  when 
compelled  to  restrain  himself  from  heading  a  charge, 
because  the  best  moment  for  it  had  not  arrived." 

"  Did  the  Vizier  take  note  of  his  manner  ?  " 

"  Yes,  and  spoke  of  it  to  the  Padishah.  Amurath 
looked  troubled,  and  I  overheard  him  say,  '  I  must 
*  See  old  annals. 


74  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

not  believe  it,  for  I  need  him.  No  other  general  can 
match  Hunyades.'  And  the  Padishah  said  well  ;  and 
he  had  done  well  if  he  had  taken  the  Vizier's  head 
from  his  shoulders  for  such  an  insinuation.  For  Scan- 
derbeg  only  half  loyal  were  better  than  all  the  rest  of 
the  generals  licking  the  Padishah's  feet.  But,  Mus- 
tapha,  we  must  train  the  little  devil  yonder  to  forget 
that  he  ever  heard  the  name  of  Jesu,  Son  of  Mary, 
except  from  the  Koran." 

"  Let  us  see  if  he  has  as  much  courage  as  he  has 
cartilage,"  said  Mustapha.  "  The  day  is  one  fit  for  the 
water  test.  Let  us  have  the  squad  on  the  river's  bank. 
If  you  will  bring  them,  I  will  go  and  arrange  the  test." 

"  It  is  too  cold,  and  besides  I  do  not  like  it,"  said 
Selim.  "  I  have  known  some  of  the  best  and  hottest 
blood  that  ever  boiled  in  a  child's  veins  to  be  chilled 
forever  by  it.  It  is  too  severe,  except  for  trout." 

"  But  it  is  commanded.  And  to-day  is  as  mild  as 
we  shall  have  for  a  whole  moon  yet,"  was  the  reply,  as 
Mustapha  moved  toward  the  water. 

The  river  Marissa  was  covered  with  thin  ice,  not 
strong  enough  to  bear  the  weight  of  a  person.  A  young 
woinak  had  attached  a  small  red  flag  to  a  block  of 
wood,  and  whirled  it  out  over  the  slippery  surface 
some  three  rods  from  the  shore.  The  boys  gathered 
naked  and  shivering  at  the  barrack  doors,  and,  at  a 
signal  were  to  dash  after  the  flag.  All  hesitated  at  the 
strange  and  cruel  command,  until  a  whip,  snapping 
close  to  their  bare  backs,  started  them.  Some  slipped 
and  fell  upon  the  rough  and  icy  stones  of  the  paving 
in  the  court.  Others  halted  at  the  river's  edge.  Only 
a  few  ventured  upon  the  brittle  ice  ;  and  they,  as  it 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  75 

broke  beneath  them,  scrambled  back  to  the  shore.  One 
or  two  fainted  in  the  shock  of  the  cold  plunge,  and 
were  drawn  in  by  the  woinaks.  But  three  pressed  on, 
breaking  the  ice  before  them  with  their  arms,  or  with 
the  whole  weight  of  their  bodies,  as  they  climbed  upon 
its  brittle  edge.  Soon  they  were  beyond  their  depth  ; 
one  dared  to  go  no  further,  and,  blue  and  bleeding, 
gave  up  the  chase.  The  prize  lay  between  Michael 
and  his  companion.  This  boy  was  larger  and  older 
than  he  ;  and  rinding  that  the  ice  would  sustain  his 
weight,  stretched  himself  on  it,  and  crawled  forward 
until  he  grasped  the  flag.  But  the  momentary  pause, 
as  he  detached  it  from  the  wooden  block  and  put  it 
between  his  teeth,  was  sufficient  to  allow  the  crackling 
bridge  to  break  beneath  him  ;  and  he  sunk  out  of 
sight.  At  the  same  instant  Michael  disappeared. 
Though  several  yards  from  his  companion,  he 
plunged  beneath  the  ice,  and  reappeared  carrying  the 
flag  in  his  teeth  and  holding  his  comrade's  head  above 
the  water  until  the  woinaks  could  reach  and  rescue 
them  both. 

"  Bravo  !  "  shouted  the  attendants.  The  boys  were 
hurried  into  the  barracks,  and  given  a  hot  drink  made 
from  a  decoction  of  strong  mints  ;  while  the  woinaks 
smeared  their  bodies  with  the  same,  and  rubbed  them 
until  the  shock  of  their  exposure  was  counteracted  by 
the  generous  return  of  the  natural  heat. 

"  I  thought,"  said  old  Mustapha,  "  that  we  would 
have  drowned  some  to-day.  It  is  a  cruel  custom  ;  but 
it  is  worth  months  of  other  practices  to  find  out  a  lad's 
clear  grit  and  power  of  endurance.  The  two  boys 
who  got  the  flag  will  some  day  become  as  valiant  as 


7 (5  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

ourselves,  eh,  Selim  ?  "  and  the  living  eye  of  the  vet- 
eran nodded  to  the  empty  socket  across  his  nose — 
the  nearest  approach  to  a  wink  he  was  capable  of. 

"  As  the  boys  were  floundering  in  the  water,"  said 
Selim,  "  I  thought  of  a  scene  which  I  saw  about  at  the 
same  spot — now  three  score  years  have  gone  since  it — 
for  it  was  just  after  I  was  brought  into  the  Janizary's 
school.  Our  Padishah's  great  grandfather,  the  first 
Amurath,  had  erected  a  high  seat  or  throne  on  the 
river's  bank  yonder.  You  know  that  Saoudji,  the 
Padishah's  son,  had  joined  the  Greeks  ;  but  the  young 
traitor  was  captured.  Well !  old  Amurath  bade  the 
executioner  pass  the  red  hot  iron  before  his  son's  eyes 
until  the  sight  was  dried  up  in  them.  Then,  while  the 
blind  prince  was  groping  about  and  begging  for  mercy, 
the  Padishah,  his  father,  commanded  a  circle  of 
swordsmen  to  be  formed  about  him,  swinging  their 
cimeters,  so  that  his  head  would  fall  by  the  hand  of 
him  whom  he  chanced  to  approach.  Thus  it  might 
be  said,  that  since  he  was  a  king's  son,  he  had  used 
the  princely  privilege  of  selecting  his  own  executioner. 
And  having  thus  set  them  an  example  of  paternal  duty, 
Amurath  commanded  the  fathers  of  the  Greek  youths, 
whom  he  had  captured,  to  cut  off  the  heads  each 
of  his  own  son.  Those  whose  fathers  were  not 
known  or  could  not  be  found,  were  tied  together  in 
groups  and  thrown  into  the  stream  ;  the  Padishah  bet- 
ting heavily  with  the  Grand  Vizier  upon  those  who 
should  float  the  longest.  So,  cruel  though  our  cus- 
toms are,  you  see,  Mustapha,  we  are  not  so  barbaric 
as  our  ancestors." 

"  Nor  so  abominably  vicious   as  the  Greeks,"  said 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  77 

Mustapha.  "  With  them  the  loving  mothers  put  out  the 
eyes  of  their  children.*  No,  we  are  quite  gentle  nur- 
ses of  the  lads  committed  to  our  charge,  though  some- 
times our  tiger  claws  will  prick  through  the  velvet." 

"  Come,  help  me  up  !  good  Mustapha,"  said  Selim, 
trying  to  rise  from  a  bench  in  the  sunshine  of  the 
court  where  they  were  sitting.  "  The  cold  stiffens 
my  bones." 

"  Bah  !  comrade,  you  have  no  bones,  only  flesh  and 
belly.  How  will  you  balance  your  fat  hulk  on  the 
bridge  that  is  finer  than  a  hair  and  sharper  than  the 
edge  of  a  sword  that  takes  you  over  hell  into  para- 
dise ?  I  fear  me,  Selim,  that  I  shall  have  to  content 
myself  with  the  company  of  the  Prophet  and  the 
houris  in  heaven,  for  you  will  never  get  there,  unless 
I  give  you  a  lift  across  Al  Sirat,"f  said  Mustapha, 
giving  his  comrade  a  jerk  which  sent  him  far  out  into 
the  court,  where  with  difficulty  he  kept  his  feet  upon 
the  slippery  stones. 

The  old  fellow  took  the  rough  play  good-naturedly, 
and  replied, 

"  You  will  never  see  paradise,  Mustapha.  The 
houris  will  have  nought  to  do  with  so  ugly  a  face  as 
yours.  It  will  turn  them  all  squint-eyed  to  look  at 
you." 

"  Do  you  think  I  know  not  the  art  of  love-making  ?" 
said  Mustapha,  striking  the  attitude  of  a  fashionable 
young  man  of  the  day. 

Selim  roared  with  laughter.  "  Mustapha  making 
love  ?  The  thing  is  impossible  ;  since,  if  the  houri 

*  Vide,  the  Greek  Empress  Irene  and  her  son  Constantine. 
f  The  bridge  over  hell  mentioned  above. 


78  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

be  in  the  sunshine  of  your  good  eye,  you  have  no  arm 
on  that  side  to  embrace  her  ;  and  if  you  embrace  her 
with  the  arm  you  have  got,  you  have  no  eye  on  that 
side  to  look  upon  her  beauty.  Trust  me,  you  old 
moulted  peacock,  that  I  shall  get  over  Al  Sirat  before 
Mustapha  has  found  a  houri " 

"  Hist  !  "  said  Mustapha,  pointing  to  the  entrance 
of  the  square  from  the  seraglio  court  adjoining,  and 
assuming  an  attitude  of  the  gravest  dignity.  In  a 
moment  more  the  two  officers  knelt,  and  resting  their 
foreheads  on  the  ground,  remained  in  that  position 
until  a  lad  of  some  twelve  years  approached  them  and 
touched  the  head  of  each  with  his  foot,  bidding  them 
rise. 

"  I  have  come,  good  Selim,  to  see  what  new  hounds 
you  have  for  me,"  said  the  young  Prince  Mahomet.* 

"  Ah  !  my  little  Hoonkeawr !  f  the  Prophet,  your 
namesake,  has  sent  you  a  fine  one  ;  as  lithe  as  a  grey- 
hound and  as  strong  as  a  mastiff  ;  and,  if  I  mistake 
not,  already  trained  for  the  game  ;  for  he  came  from 
the  Balkans,  where  foxes  run  wild  when  and  where 
they  will." 

"  That  is  capital.  I  shall  like  him,"  cried  the  prince, 
with  delight.  "  I  must  see  him." 

"  Not  to-day,  your  highness ;  for  the  boys  are 
under  the  leech's  charge.  They  have  been  put  to  the 
water-test,  and  are  all  packed  snugly  in  their  beds." 

"  The  water-test,  Selim,  and  you  called  me  not  ? " 
said  the  boy,  looking  furious  in  his  rage.  •  "  You 
knew  I  wanted  to  see  it  ;  and  you  told  me  not  for 

*  Afterward  Sultan  Mahomet  II. 

f  Literally,  Man  of  Blood,  a  title  of  the  Sultan. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  79 

spite.  You  will  pay  for  this  one  day,  you  fat  villain  ! 
And  I  want  the  hunt  now.  I  came  for  it  ;  did  I  not, 
Yusef  ?  "  addressing  a  eunuch,  an  old  man  with  ashen 
face  and  decrepit  body,  but  gorgeously  arrayed,  who 
accompanied  the  prince  as  his  constant  attendant. 

"  We  must  wait,  I  suppose,"  said  the  man,  with  a 
supercilious  tone  and  toss  of  his  head,  as  if  to  even 
speak  in  the  presence  of  the  soldiers  were  a  degrada- 
tion to  his  dignity. 

"  To-morrow  we  will  have  the  hunt  in  better  style 
than  we  could  arrange  it  now  were  the  boys  able,"  said 
Selim,  endeavoring  to  appease  the  young  tyrant. 

The  prince  and  his  escort  moved  away  without 
deigning  a  reply 

"  It  is  best  not  to  insist,"  said  the  eunuch.  "  A 
wise  maxim  I  will  give  thee,  my  prince  : — Beware  of 
demanding  the  impossible — check  back  even  the  desire 
of  it.  The  rule  of  the  Janizary  school  is  that  the  boys 
have  rest  after  the  water-test,  and  the  Padishah  would 
not  allow  even  his  own  son  to  break  it.  I  would  train 
thee  to  self-command  ;  for  the  time  may  come  when 
thou  shalt  command  the  empire.  Your  brother, 
Aladdin,  is  mortal." 

"  So  you  always  interfere  with  me.  You  hate  me, 
Yusef  ;  I  know  you  do.  I  wish  the  boys  had  all 
been  drowned  in  the  river,  and  old  Selim,  and  you 
too,"  cried  the  royal  lad,  giving  way  to  an  outburst  of 
childish  rage. 

"  Wait  until  thou  canst  get  the  bit  between  thy 
teeth  before  attempting  to  run  thine  own  gait,"  coolly 
replied  the  old  eunuch. 


8o  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

CHAPTER  X. 

BEYOND  the  walls  of  the  seraglio  lay  the  royal 
hunting  grounds.  Many  acres  of  the  city  were 
enclosed  within  high  walls  of  clayey  earth,  packed 
into  huge  square  blocks  and  dried  in  the  sun  ;  on  the 
top  and  outside  of  which  bristled  a  miniature  abattis 
of  prickly  vines.  Some  parts  of  this  park  were  adorned 
with  every  elegance  that  the  art  of  landscape  garden- 
ing could  devise.  In  the  summer  season  these  por- 
tions were  covered  with  floral  beauties,  interspersed 
with  water-jets,  which  tossed  the  light  silver  balls  like 
fairy  jugglers  ;  broad  basins  sparkling  with  gold  fish  ; 
and  walks  leading  to  little  kiosks  and  arbors.  Even 
its  winter  shroud  could  not  conceal  from  the  imagina- 
tion what  must  have  been  its  living  beauty  in  summer. 

The  greater  part  of  this  reserve  was,  however,  left 
in  its  natural  state.  Gnarled  old  olive  trees  twisted 
themselves  like  huge  serpents  above  the  dense  copses 
of  elder  and  hazel  bushes.  Dusky  balsams  rose  in 
pyramids,  overtopped  by  the  pines,  which  spread  their 
branches  like  umbrellas.  Here  and  there  were  open 
fields,  encumbered  with  stinted  underbrush,  and  either 
broken  with  out-cropping  rocks,  or  smooth  with  strips 
of  meadow  land  now  white  and  glistening  under  the 
snow. 

This  section  of  the  park  presented  a  fascinating 
appearance  on  the  day  of  the  fox-hunt.  Scores  of 
lads  from  the  Janizary  school  were  there,  dressed  in  all 
shades  of  bright-colored  jackets,  and  short  trousers 
bagged  at  the  knees  ;  the  lower  part  of  the  limbs  being 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  81 

protected  with  close-fitting  stockings  of  leather,  termi- 
nating in  light,  but  strong,  sandals.  Each  wore  a 
skull  cap  or  fez  of  red  flannel,  from  the  top  of  which 
and  down  the  back  hung  a  tassel,  that,  by  its  length 
and  richness,  indicated  some  prize  won  by  its  wearer 
in  previous  games.  Old  soldiers  gathered  here  and 
there  in  groups  ;  some,  the  Janizaries,  wearing  tall 
sugar-loaf-shaped  hats  of  gray  ;  others,  white  turbans, 
or  green  ones,  indicating  that  their  possessors  had  made 
a  holy  pilgrimage  to  Mecca.  Elegant  burnooses,  or 
sleeveless  cloaks,  of  white,  black,  orange  and  yellow 
silks,  fluttered  in  the  wind  or  were  gathered  at  the 
waist  by  rich  sashes,  from  which  hung  great  cimeters. 

Near  an  open  spot  was  a  stand,  or  running  galleryv 
enclosed  in  lattice-work,  from  behind  which  the  ladies 
of  the  harem  could  witness  the  sports,  themselves 
unseen.  The  presence  of  these  invisible  beauties  was 
indicated  by  the  stiff,  straight  forms  of  the  black 
eunuchs,  whose  faces  appeared  above  their  white 
cloaks  like  heads  of  ebony  on  statues  of  alabaster. 

Prince  Mahomet  rode  a  horse,  small  but  com- 
pactly built,  with  head  and  mane  suggestive  of  the 
power  of  his  well-rounded  muscles  ;  slim  ankles,  seem- 
ingly better  adapted  to  carry  the  lighter  form  of  a  deer  ; 
jet  black,  in  strongest  contrast  with  the  white  tunic 
and  gaily  embroidered  jacket  of  the  little  prince,  as 
well  as  with  the  saddle-cloth  of  purple  silk,  in  which 
the  star  and  crescent  were  wrought  with  threads  of  gold. 
With  merry  shout  the  young  tyrant  chased  the  boys, 
who,  carrying  wands  decorated  with  ribbons,  ran  ahead 
of  him  to  clear  the  way. 

"  So  it  will  be  if  he  ever  comes  to  the  throne,"  said 
6 


82  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

Selim  to  a  comrade.  "  Mahomet  II.  would  follow  no 
one.  There  would  be  no  use  of  viziers  and  generals, 
and  he  would  even  attempt  to  drive  the  Janizaries  like 
his  sheep.  It  is  well  that  Aladdin  is  the  elder." 

"  But  woe  to  Aladdin  if  Mahomet  lives  after  his 
brother  comes  to  the  throne,"  said  the  man  addressed. 
"  With  such  fire-boxes  about  him  one  could  justify  the 
practice  of  a  sovereign  inaugurating  his  reign  by  the 
slaughter  of  his  next  of  kin."  * 

The  woinaks  brought  in  several  crates,  with  latticed 
sides,  containing  the  foxes,  which,  one  by  one,  were  to 
be  let  loose  for  the  chase  ;  the  boys  to  act  the  part  of 
hounds,  and  drive  the  game  from  the  thickets,  in  which 
they  would  naturally  take  refuge,  out  into  the  open 
space,  and  within  arrow  range  of  the  prince.  Mahomet, 
by  constant  practice,  had  acquired  great  dexterity  in 
managing  his  steed,  and  almost  unerring  aim  in  using 
the  bow  from  the  horse's  back. 

A  splendid  red  fox  was  thrust  out  of  the  crate.  For 
a  moment  he  remained  crouching  and  trembling  in  his 
fright  at  the  crowd  ;  then  darted  suddenly  for  the 
underbrush.  The  boys,  imitating  the  sharp  cry  or  pro- 
longed baying  of  a  pack  of  hounds,  scattered  in  differ- 
ent directions  ;  some  disappearing  in  the  copse  ; 
others  stationing  themselves  at  the  openings  or  run- 
ways where  they  thought  the  animal  would  appear. 
The  bugle  of  the  white  eunuch,  who  was  constantly 
near  the  prince,  kept  all  informed  of  his  position,  so 
that  reynard  might  be  driven  toward  him.  In  a  few 
moments  the  arrow  of  Mahomet  laid  him  low. 

A  second  fox  was  liberated — like  many  of  the  Sul- 

*  The  custom  also  in  other  Oriental  nations  than  the  Turkish. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  83 

tan's  nobler  creatures — only  to  fly  to  his  speedy  execu- 
tion. The  third  animal  was  an  old  one,  who  persisted 
in  taking  the  direction  opposite  to  that  in  which  the 
chasers  would  drive  him.  Again  and  again,  as  the  boys 
closed  about  him,  he  dashed  through  the  thickest  of  their 
legs,  leaving  them  tumbled  together  in  a  heap.  At  one 
time  he  sprang  through  the  opening  at  which  Michael, 
studying  the  tricks  of  the  quick-witted  brute,  had  sta- 
tioned himself.  Sudden  as  were  his  movements,  the 
young  mountaineer's  were  not  less  so  ;  for,  like  a  ver- 
itable hound,  he  threw  himself  bodily  upon  the  prey. 
Passing  his  right  hand  beneath  the  entire  length  of 
the  animal's  body  from  the  rear,  he  grasped  his  front 
leg  and  bent  it  back  beneath  him  ;  at  the  same  time 
using  his  whole  weight  to  keep  the  animal's  head  close 
to  the  ground,  so  as  to  escape  his  fangs.  He  had 
taken  more  than  one  beast  in  a  similar  way  from  the 
holes  in  the  old  mountain  pass.  In  the  excitement  of 
the  sport  he  now  forgot  that  he  was  merely  to  enable 
another  to  get  the  game  without  effort  or  danger. 

Prince  Mahomet  rode  to  the  spot  toward  which  the 
fox  had  turned,  and,  in  a  sudden  outburst  of  anger  at 
this  interference  with  his  shot,  drove  the  arrow  at  the 
two  as  they  were  struggling  on  the  ground.  The  whir- 
ring barb  cut  the  arm  of  Michael  before  it  entered  the 
heart  of  the  prey.  The  sharp  cry  of  pain  uttered  by 
the  lad  recalled  Mahomet  from  his  insane  rage.  The 
rushing  attendants  showed  pity  for  Michael,  but  no 
one  ventured  a  remonstrance  against  this  act  of  impe- 
rial cowardice  and  cruelty.  A  moment's  examination 
showed  that  the  lad's  wound  was  not  serious,  being 
only  a  cut  through  the  flesh.  But  as  the  pallor  of  his 


84  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

fright  died  away  from  his  face,  it  was  followed  by  a 
deep  flush  of  anger.  Tears  of  vexation  filled  his  eyes. 
His  glance  of  scorn  was  hardly  swifter  than  his  leap  : 
for,  with  a  bound,  his  arms  were  around  the  prince's 
body,  while  his  weight  dragged  him  from  the  saddle  to 
the  ground.  Mahomet,  rising,  drew  a  jeweled  dagger, 
and  made  several  hasty  passes  at  his  assailant,  who, 
however,  dextrously  avoided  them.  The  posing  of 
the  lads  would  have  done  justice  to  the  fame  of  pro- 
fessional gladiators.  The  prince  pressed  upon  his 
antagonist  with  incessant  thrusts,  which,  by  skilful 
retreating  and  parries  with  his  bare  arm,  Michael 
avoided  ;  until,  with  a  ringing  blow  upon  Mahomet's 
wrist,  he  sent  the  weapon  from  his  hand,  and  closed 
with  him  ;  the  prince  falling  to  the  ground  beneath  the 
greater  strength  of  Michael. 

The  spectators  at  this  point  interfered.  As  they 
rose  the  eunuch  grasped  the  little  victor,  and  shaking 
him,  cried  :  "  I  will  cut  the  throat  of  the  Giaour  cub  of 
hell." 

But  the  one  hand  of  old  Mustapha  was  upon  the 
eunuch's  throat,  and  his  one  eye  flashed  like  a  discharg- 
ing culverin,  as  he  cried,  "  Had  I  another  hand  to  do 
it  with,  I  would  cut  yours,  you  white-faced  imbecile  ! 
Don't  you  know  that  the  boy  belongs  to  the  Janiza- 
ries ?  and  woe  to  him  who  is  not  a  Janizary  that  lays 
a  hand  on  him!  " 

"  The  prince's  honor  must  be  avenged,"  wheezed 

out  the  eunuch  between  the  finger  grips  of  the  old 

soldier.      "  I  care  not  for  the  Janizary,   though  you 

were  the  Aga*  himself,  instead  of  a  mutilated   slave." 

*  Aga  ;  commander. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  85 

The  eunuch  had  drawn  his  dagger,  and  was  work- 
ing his  hand  into  a  position  whence  he  could  strike, 
when  old  Selim's  hand  grasped  his. 

"  None  of  that  treachery,  or  we  will  let  out  of  your 
leprous  skin  what  manhood  is  left  in  you,  you  blotch 
on  your  race  !  Touch  one  hair  of  Black  Khalil's* 
children  and  you  die  like  the  dog  you  are.  Let  him 
go,  Mustapha  !  His  coward  throat  is  no  place  for  you 
to  soil  a  brave  hand.  We  will  get  a  snake  to  strangle 
him  ;  a  buzzard  to  pick  his  grain  of  a  soul  out  of  his 
vile  carcass  ;  f  an  ass  to  kick  him  to  death.  We  must 
observe  the  proprieties." 

"  Pardon  my  heat  !  "  said  the  eunuch.  "  My  zeal  for 
my  prince  has  led  me  too  far." 

"  Not  at  all !  "  said  Selim.  "  It  is  pleasant  to  see  that 
you  have  some  heat  in  your  cold  blooded  toad  nature." 

"  It  is  better  for  us  to  retire,"  said  the  eunuch  to 
Mahomet.  "  I  shall  sound  the  signal  for  the  close  of 
the  games." 

Mahomet  stood  stubbornly  for  awhile  ;  then  turning 
to  Michael  said  in  a  tone  which  was  strangely  without 
a  shade  of  anger  or  petulance  in  it  : 

"  Say,  young  Giaour,  you  and  I  must  have  this  out 
some  day." 

Michael  could  not  help  a  half-smiling  recognition 
of  the  boyish  challenge,  and  replied  : 

"  I  have  seen  more  foxes  than  you  have,  and  know 
some  tricks  I  didn't  show  you  to-day." 

*  Kara  Khalil  Tschendereli,  the  founder  of  the  Janizaries  in 
the  time  of  Sultan  Orchan. 

f  According  to  a  Moslem  tradition  the  beautiful  birds  of  para- 
dise hold  in  their  crops  the  souls  of  holy  martys  until  the  resurrec- 
tion. 


86  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

As  they  moved  out  of  the  park,  Yusef  delivered  a 
brief  lecture  to  his  princely  pupil.  "  Hark  thee,  my 
master.  I  warn  thee,  that  thou  have  an  eye  always 
open  and  a  hand  always  closed  to  the  Janizaries. 
They  have  grown  from  being  the  heel  to  think  that 
they  are  the  head  of  the  state.  They  dictate  to  thy 
father,  the  Padishah,  and  snub  the  very  Vizier.  I 
would  have  killed  both  those  old  imbeciles,  but  that 
it  would  not  have  been  politic.  I  am  glad,  too,  that 
thou  didst  not  let  thy  dagger  find  the  heart  of  the 
Balkan  boy.  That  would  not  have  been  politic. 
For,  Allah  grant  !  thou  mayest  one  day  be  Padishah. 
Then  this  day  would  be  remembered  against  us." 

"  But,  Yusef,  I  did  not  spare  the  boy.  I  think  he 
spared  me  ;  and  if  I  ever  get  to  be  Padishah,  I  will 
make  him  my  vizier,  for  his  cleverness.  It  would  be  a 
pity  that  so  brave  a  man  were  elsewhere  than  at  my 
right  hand.  Though  he  angered  me  awfully  at  the 
moment,  I  shall  like  that  fellow.  Did  you  see  how  he 
gripped  the  fox  with  his  bare  arms  ?  He  must  teach 
me  how  to  do  that.  Was  it  between  the  hind  legs  he 
thrust  his  hand,  or  across  the  beast's  body  ?  I  could 
not  see  for  my  being  so  mad  because  he  spoiled  for  me 
a  fine  running  shot." 

"  Thou  art  a  strange  child,  Mahomet.  Thou  seem- 
est  to  have  forgotten  that  the  boy  leaped  at  thy  throat, 
and  would  have  torn  out  thine  eyes,  but  that  thou 
wast  more  valiant  than  he." 

"  Well,  I  should  despise  him  as  white-livered  and 
milk-galled  if  he  had  not  sprung  at  me,"  said  Maho- 
met. "  Has  not  every  noble  fellow  quick  blood, 
as  well  as  a  prince,  Yusef  ?  That  boy  shall  be  mine. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  87 

He  shall  teach  me  his  tricks,  and  I  shall  give  him  all 
my  sweetmeats  ;  for  they  get  none  of  such  things  in 
the  school." 

"  Ah  !  my  little  prince,  thy  head  is  as  full  of  wit  as 
a  fig  is  of  seeds.  Thou  art  gifted  to  know  and  use 
men.  One  that  is  born  to  rule  must  make  his  passion 
bend  to  policy.  He  must  not  allow  himself  the  pleas- 
ure of  hating  those  whom  he  can  use.  But  take  heed 
of  this  : — whom  he  cannot  use  he  must  not  love." 

"  But  I  was  not  born  to  rule,  Yusef.  If  so,  I  would 
have  been  born  earlier,  before  my  brother  Aladdin 
cried  in  his  nurse's  arms,  and  would  not  be  comforted 
until  they  had  covered  the  soft  spot  on  his  bare  head 
with  a  paper  crown.  Do  you  believe  in  omens,  Yusef  ?  " 

"  Not  in  such  ;  only  in  dreams,"  said  the  eunuch. 

"Well  ;  I  dreamed  that  our  two  heads — yours  and 
mine,  Yusef — were  together  on  a  pike-staff,  grinning 
at  Aladdin's  coronation." 

"  Nonsense,  child  !  "  said  the  eunuch,  his  white  face 
bleaching  a  shade  whiter  under  the  thought,  as  they 
passed  through  the  gateway  into  the  seraglio  grounds. 


CHAPTER    XI. 

THE  physical  training  of  the  young  Janizaries  con- 
sisted in  such  daily  exercises  as  would  develop 
strength  and  tirelessness  of  muscle,  steadiness  of  nerve, 
keenness  and  accuracy  of  eye,  as  well  as  grace  of  mien. 
They  were  also  taught  by  expert  workmen  all  the  arts 


88  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

of  daily  need  ;  to  make  as  well  as  to  use  the  bow  ;  to 
trim  and  balance  the  arrow  ;  to  forge,  temper,  and 
sharpen  the  sword  ;  to  shoe  the  horse;  to  make  and 
mend  their  clothing  and  the  entire  trappings  of  their 
steeds  ;  to  build  and  manage  the  keelless  kaiks*  which 
darted  like  fishes  through  the  surface  of  the  river  ; 
to  bind  rafts  into  pontoons  for  the  crossing  of  streams  ; 
to  reap  and  grind  the  grain,  and  cook  their  food. 
Any  special  talent  or  adaptability  was  noted  by  the 
instructors,  and  the  Janizaries  encouraged  to  attain  to 
rare  expertness  in  single  arts. 

The  training  in  arms  was  especially  severe,  and 
under  masters  in  fencing,  archery,  riding,  swimming, 
marching,  deploying — the  ablest  tacticians,  whose 
wounds  or  age  permitted  their  absence  from  active 
campaigns,  being  found  always  at  the  head  of  the 
various  departments.  The  Janizary,  while  a  mere  lad 
in  years,  was  often  more  than  a  match  in  single  com- 
bat for  the  most  stalwart  men  in  other  corps,  such  as 
the  Piade  and  Azabs  among  footmen,  the  Ouloufedji 
and  Akindji  among  troopers. 

But,  notwithstanding  this  individual  prowess  and 
ambition  were  stimulated  to  the  highest  degree,  they 
were  disciplined  to  abject  obedience  within  the  corps. 
Each  one  was  as  a  part  of  some  intricate  mechanism,  all 
moved  by  one  spring,  which  was  the  will  of  the  chief 
Aga.  At  a  moment's  notice  they  must  start,  in  com- 
panies or  alone  ;  on  military  expeditions,  or  secret 
service  as  spies  and  scouts  ;  it  might  be  to  the  re- 
cesses of  Asia  or  the  upper  Danube  ;  to  assail  forts 
or  to  conduct  intrigues  ;  having  always  but  one  incen- 

*  Kaiks  or  caiques  ;  light  row-boats. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  89 

tive,  that  of  the  common  service  and  the  common 
glory. 

To  develop  in  the  same  person  these  two  seemingly 
antagonistic  qualities — of  intensest  individuality  and 
abject  subserviency  to  their  order — required  the 
shrewdest  manipulation  of  the  mind  and  will  of  the 
cadet  from  his  earliest  enrollment  in  childhood.  As 
certain  expert  horse-trainers  control  the  spirit  of 
noble  steeds,  without  extinguishing  any  of  their  fiery 
ardor,  and  tell  the  secret  of  their  power  to  those  who 
come  after  them  in  the  guild,  so  from  the  days  of 
Black  Khalil  this  marvellous  system  of  discipline  had 
been  perpetuated  among  the  corps,  producing  but 
rarely  a  weakling  and  as  rarely  a  rebel. 

Michael  learned  his  first  lesson  in  subordination 
upon  the  return  from  the  hunt.  While  the  Janizary 
officers  were  not  displeased  with  the  prowess  the  little 
fellow  had  shown,  even  against  the  prince,  it  was  fore- 
seen that  such  an  impetuous  nature  needed  the  curb. 
For  three  days  he  was  confined  to  a  room  in  solitude 
and  silence.  No  one  spoke  or  listened  to  him.  His 
only  attendant  was  an  old  man,  both  deaf  and  dumb, 
who  evidently  knew  nothing  and  cared  nothing  for 
Michael's  offence  or  its  punishment. 

During  this  time  the  lad's  suspense  was  terrible. 
Was  he  to  be  killed  for  having  assaulted  the  prince  ? 
Would  they  take  him  to  the  torture  ?  Perhaps  this 
old  man  had  been  guilty  of  some  such  offence,  and 
they  had  cut  his  tongue  and  bored  out  his  ears  !  He 
had  heard  of  the  searing  iron  passed  before  the  eyes, 
and  then  the  life-long  darkness.  When  he  slept  his 
overwrought  imagination  fabricated  horrid  dreams  in 


po  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

which  he  was  the  victim  of  every  species  of  cruelty.  He 
fancied  that  he  was  being  eaten  by  a  kennel  of  foxes,  to 
whom  he  is  given  every  day  until  their  hunger  shall  be 
satisfied  ;  then  taken  away  and  reserved  for  their  next 
meal.  He  tried  to  compute  how  many  days  he  would 
last.  Sometimes  he  imagined  that  he  was  exposed 
naked  in  the  cold,  and  made  to  stand  day  and  night 
on  the  ice  of  the  Marissa,  until  he  should  be  frozen  : 
but  his  heart  is  so  hot  with  his  rebel  spirit  that  it  will 
not  freeze.  Once  he  thought  that  Prince  Mahomet 
came  each  day  and  stabbed  him  with  that  pearl-set 
dagger  he  drew  on  him  at  the  hunt. 

His  dreams  were  too  frightful  to  allow  him  to  sleep 
long  at  a  time  ;  yet,  when  awake,  his  fears  were  such 
that  he  longed  to  get  back  again  among  the  terrible 
creatures  of  his  fancy.  Oh,  that  some  one  would 
speak  to  him,  and  tell  him  his  fate  !  He  would  wel- 
come the  worst  torture,  if  only  he  could  be  allowed  to 
talk  to  the  torturer. 

After  a  while  rage  took  the  place  of,  or  at  least 
began  to  alternate  with,  fear.  He  regretted  that  he 
had  not  killed  the  impudent  prince. 

"  There  stands  his  horse,"  he  would  say  to  himself 
— marking  a  line  on  the  wall — "  now  I  leap  ;  seize  his 
dagger  ;  strike  him  to  the  heart  ;  and,  before  they  can 
stop  me,  plunge  it  into  my  own  heart,  so  !  Ah  !  when 
I  am  out  of  this  place  I  will  kill  him  !  I  will  !  and  go 
down  to  hell  with  him  !  "  And  the  little  frame  would 
swell,  and  the  eyes  gleam  with  demoniacal  light 
through  the  dusky  chamber. 

There  are  deep  places  even  in  a  child's  soul — ay, 
bottomless  depths — which,  when  unfretted  by  tempta- 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  91 

tion,  are  so  tranquil  and  clear  that  the  kindliness  and 
joy  of  heaven  are  reflected  in  them,  warranting  the 
saying  of  the  old  Jewish  Rabbis,  "  Every  child  is  a 
prophet  of  the  pure  and  loving  God."  But  when 
disturbed  by  a  sense  of  wrong  and  injury,  these  depths 
in  a  child's  heart  may  rage  as  a  caldron  hot  with  the 
fires  of  hell  ;  as  a  geyser  pouring  out  the  wrath  and 
hatred  which  we  conceive  to  be  born  only  in  the 
nether  world. 

After  a  time  Michael's  fury  died  away.  Another 
feeling  took  its  place — the  crushing  sense  of  his 
impotence.  His  will  seemed  to  be  broken  by  the 
violence  of  its  own  spasm.  He  was  stunned  by  his 
realization  of  weakness.  He  fell  with  his  face  to  the 
cold  stones  of  the  floor,  moaning  at  first,  but  soon 
passing  into  a  waking  stupor  in  which  only  conscious- 
ness remained  :  hopeless,  purposeless,  without  energy 
to  strive,  and  without  strength  to  cry — a  perfectly 
passive  spirit.  The  centipede  that  crawled  from  the 
dusty  crevice  of  the  walls,  and  raised  half  his  body  to 
look  at  the  strange  figure  lying  there,  might  have  com- 
manded him.  The  spider  might  have  captured  him, 
and  spun  about  his  soul  a  web  of  destiny,  if  only  he 
could  have  conveyed  a  thought  of  it  from  his  tiny  eyes. 
For,  as  the  body  faints,  so  also  does  the  spirit  under 
the  pressure  of  woe. 

The  old  mute  brought  in  the  meal  on  the  third  day, 
placed  it  beside  him,  and  retired.  An  hour  later  he 
returned  and  found  the  bread  untasted  ;  the  child  in 
the  same  attitude,  but  not  asleep.  He  touched  him 
with  his  foot,  but  evoked  no  sign  that  his  presence 
was  recognized.  He  gazed  for  a  few  moments  ;  then 


92  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

shook  his  head  like  an  artisan  who,  upon  inspecting 
some  piece  of  work  he  has  been  making,  is  not  satisfied 
with  it. 

He  summoned  Selim.  The  old  soldier,  finding  that 
his  entrance  did  not  arouse  the  lad,  crossed  his  legs 
upon  the  floor  beside  him,  and  waited.  The  light  from 
the  high  window  of  the  room  fell  upon  Selim's 
wrinkled  face.  But  it  seemed  as  if  another  light,  one 
from  within,  blended  with  it.  His  harsh  features 
were  permeated  by  a  glow  and  softness,  as  he  gazed 
upon  the  exhausted  child.  His  eyes  filled  with  tears  ; 
but  they  were  speedily  dried  by  the  stare  with  which 
he  turned  and  looked  first  at  the  blank  walls,  and  then, 
following  back  the  ray  of  light,  to  the  window  and 
beyond  ;  his  soul  transported  far  away  over  lands, 
through  years,  to  a  cottage  on  the  banks  of  the  Grau. 
He  saw  there  a  face  so  beautiful !  was  it  really  of  one 
he  once  called  "  Mother  ? "  or  a  dim  and  hazy  recol- 
lection of  a  painting  of  the  Christian  Madonna  he  had 
seen  in  his  childhood  ?  Happy  groups  of  village  chil- 
dren were  playing  down  among  the  lilies  by  the 
water's  edge,  and  over  the  hills  gently  sloping  back 
from  the  river's  bank.  Their  faces  were  as  clear  cut 
there  against  the  blue  sky  beyond  the  window,  as  once 
— sixty  years  ago — they  were  against  the  green  grass 
of  the  meadow.  He  heard  again  the  sweet  ring  of  the 
chapel  bell  echoing  back  from  the  ragged  rocks  of  the 
opposite  shore.  And  now  the  midnight  alarm  ! 
A  fight  with  strange  looking  turbaned  men  !  Flames 
bursting  from  the  houses  of  the  hamlet  !  Men  shriek- 
ing with  wounds,  and  women  struggling  in  the  arms  of 
captors  !  And  a  little  child,  ah,  so  lonely  and  tired 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  93 

with  a  long  march  !  and  that  child — himself  ! — His 
eyes  rested  as  fondly  upon  Michael  as  did  ever  a 
father's  upon  his  boy. 

But  as  the  wind  extinguishes  a  candle,  a  movement 
of  Michael  sent  all  the  gleams  gathered  out  of  former 
days  from  old  Selim's  features.  Severity,  almost 
savageness,  took  the  place  of  kindliness  among  the 
wrinkles  of  his  countenance,  as  naturally  as  the  waters 
of  a  rivulet,  held  back  for  a  moment  by  a  child's  hand, 
fill  again  their  channels. 

The  boy  raised  his  head.  His  face  was  pale  ;  the 
eyes  sunken  ;  their  natural  brilliance  deepened,  but  as 
that  of  the  flashing  waters  is  deepened  when  it  is 
frozen  into  the  glistening  icicle.  Or  shall  we  say  that 
the  dancing  flames  of  the  child's  eyes  had  become  the 
steady  glow  of  embered  coals  ; — their  life  gone  out, 
but  the  hot  core  left  there,  not  to  cheer,  only  to 
burn.  Those  three  days  of  silence,  with  their  succes- 
sive dramas  of  mystery,  terror,  rage  and  depression, 
had  wrought  more  changes  in  him  than  many  years  of 
merely  external  discipline  would  have  done. 

The  close  searching  glance  of  Selim  detected  all 
this  ;  and  also  that  the  child  was  in  a  critical  condi- 
tion. The  will  was  broken,  but  it  was  not  certain  that 
this  had  not  been  accomplished  by  the  breaking  of  the 
entire  spirit ;  instead  of  curbing,  destroying  it :  not 
taming  the  tiger's  daring,  but  converting  it  into  the 
sluggishness  and  timidity  of  the  cat. 

"  Michael  !  "  cried  he. 

There  was  no  response  except  the  slight  inclination 
of  the  head  indicating  that  the  word  had  been  heard. 

"  Follow  me  !  " 


94  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

The  lad  rose  mechanically,  showing  no  interest  or 
attention  beyond  that  required  for  bodily  obedience. 

Pausing  at  the  door-way  the  old  man  put  his  hand 
upon  the  boy's  shoulder  and  said  sternly,  yet  with  a 
caution  ready  to  change  his  tone — 

"  Do  you  know  that  we  have  power  to  more  severely 
punish  you  ?  " 

The  words  made  no  impression  upon  the  child. 

"  The  bastinado  ?  The  cage  ? "  The  boy  raised 
his  face,  but  upon  it  was  no  evidence  of  fear  ;  perhaps 
of  scorn.  He  had  suffered  so  much  that  threats  had 
no  power  over  him. 

Selim  was  alarmed  at  these  symptoms.  His  expe- 
rience with  such  cases  taught  him  that  this  lethargic 
spell  must  be  broken  at  whatever  cost.  Feeling  must 
be  excited  ;  and  if  an  appeal  to  the  child's  imagina- 
tion failed,  physical  pain  must  be  inflicted.  Some- 
thing must  rouse  him,  or  insanity  might  ensue. 

A  peculiar  instrument  of  torture  was  a  frame  set 
with  needles  pointing  inwards.  Into  this  sometimes  a 
culprit  was  placed,  and  the  frame  screwed  so  close 
about  the  person  that  he  could  not  move  from  a  fixed 
position  without  forcing  the  needles  into  his  flesh. 
This  frame  was  put  about  the  boy.  He  stared 
stupidly  at  the  approaching  points,  but  did  not  shrink. 
Selim  pressed  one  of  the  needles  quickly.  Instantly 
the  boy  uttered  a  cry  of  pain.  His  face  blanched  with 
fright.  The  tears  sprang  to  his  eyes,  and  through 
them  came  an  agonizing  look  of  entreaty. 

Selim's  whole  manner  changed  as  suddenly. 
Schooled  as  he  was  to  harshness  ;  to  strike  one's  head 
from  his  shoulders  at  the  command  of  the  Aga  with- 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  95 

out  an  instant's  hesitation  ;  to  superintend  the  slow 
process  of  a  "  discipline "  by  torture,  without  a 
remorseful  thought ; — yet  this  was  not  his  nature. 
And  now  that  better,  deeper,  truer  nature,  hitherto 
unexercised  for  years,  asserted  itself.  His  heart  went 
out  to  Michael  the  instant  there  was  no  further  neces- 
sity for  its  restraint. 

"  Bravo  !  my  little  hero,"  cried  he,  catching  him  to 
his  arms.  "  You  are  of  the  metal  of  the  invincibles, 
and  henceforth  only  valiant  deeds,  bright  honors  and 
endless  pleasures  are  to  be  yours.  You  shall  lodge 
with  me  to-night." 


CHAPTER  XII. 

OELIM'S  apartment  was  off  from  the  common 
O  barracks  of  the  Janizaries.  It  was  luxuriantly  fur- 
nished in  its  way.  Elegant  rugs  lay  upon  the  marble 
floor.  A  divan,  with  silken  covering,  filled  one  end  of 
the  room.  The  walls  were  hung  with  a  variety  of 
richly  wrought  weapons  and  armor  : — short  swords, 
long  crescent-shaped  cimeters,  spears  of  polished  wood 
headed  with  glistening  steel,  helmets,  breastplates, 
greaves.  Badges  and  honorary  decorations  shone 
among  costly  robes  which  had  accumulated  since  the 
days  when  he  had  been  a  page  to  the  Sultan  Amu- 
rath  I. 

Upon  a  low  table,   reaching  to  the  edge   of  the 
divan,  had  been  placed  salvers  holding  cups  and  open 


96  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

dishes  of  silver.  A  woinak  entered  with  basins  of 
scented  water  in  which  to  wash  the  hands  and  bathe 
the  face. 

Selim  placed  his  little  guest  by  his  side  upon  the 
divan.  Mustapha  also  appeared,  and,  removing  his 
shoes,  made  a  profound  and  dignified  salam — quite  in 
contrast  with  his  usual  rough  and  badgering  manner 
when  with  Selim — then  placed  himself  beside  his  com- 
rade upon  the  cushions.  An  excellent  repast  was 
served.  There  was  hare's  flesh  chopped  and  rolled 
with  rice  into  balls,  made  more  savory  with  curry 
sauce.  Sweet  cakes,  pastry  of  figs  and  candied 
orange  blossoms  excited  a  thirst  for  the  sweetened 
water,  which  was  so  strongly  flavored  with  the  juices 
of  fruits  that  the  more  scrupulous  Moslems  refused  to 
drink  it,  lest  they  should  disobey  the  command  of  the 
Koran  prohibiting  the  use  of  wine. 

The  two  old  men  vied  with  each  other  in  telling 
thrilling  stories  of  adventure  in  battle  and  on  secret 
service  ;  of  the  romance  of  castles  and  courts  ;  of  how 
they  won  their  honors  and  got  their  scars  ;  of  the 
favors  of  princes  and  princesses  ;  and  of  exploits  in 
which,  though  the  rules  of  their  order  forbade  their 
marrying,  they  retaliated  the  captivity  of  the  maiden's 
eye  by  capturing  her  person.  The  burden  of  every 
story  was  the  praise  of  the  Janizary  organization, 
which  alone  enabled  them  to  attain  such  glories  and 
joys.  The  close  brotherhood,  which  gave  to  each  the 
help  of  all  the  ten  thousand,  was  commended  by  inci- 
dents illustrating  it.  They  told  of  their  Aga  or  chief, 
who  was  more  powerful  than  the  Grand  Vizier — for 
sultans  made  these  latter  by  a  word,  and  unmade 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  97 

them  with  equal  caprice,  often  with  the  stroke  of  the 
sword  ;  but  to  touch  a  hair  of  the  Aga  would  be  for 
the  Sultan  to  lose  the  favor  of  the  entire  band,  whom 
he  regarded  as  the  main  support  of  his  throne,  as 
their  hands  had  won  it  for  his  fathers.  Did  not  the 
word  of  Mustapha  and  Selim,  at  the  fox-hunt,  cow 
the  pride  of  Yusef,  who  was  next  to  the  Capee  Aga 
or  chief  of  the  white  eunuchs  ?  Yet  Selim  and 
Mustapha  were  but  captains  in  the  Janizaries.  No 
general  in  any  other  arm  of  the  service  would  have 
dared  to  antagonize  the  eunuch  as  they  did. 

As  Michael  listened,  his  cheeks  flushed  and  chilled 
by  turns  with  the  excitement  of  his  martial  ambition. 
The  dreams  he  used  to  have  in  his  mountain  home,  of 
being  a  soldier  and  coming  back  covered  with  badges 
of  honor  to  claim  Morsinia  as  his  bride,  seemed  to  be 
dissolving  into  the  reality.  Nor  was  his  ardor  damped 
when  he  learned  from  Selim  that  the  first  step  toward 
all  this  was  the  total  surrender  of  himself  to  the  service 
of  the  brotherhood,  in  pledging  and  keeping  obedience 
to  its  rules  ;  as  a  part  of  the  body,  like  the  hand,  must 
never  be  severed  from  the  rest,  but  keep  the  contact 
perfect  in  every  muscle  and  nerve,  in  order  to  have 
the  strength  which  only  the  health  of  the  whole  body 
can  give  to  it.  Selim  explained  to  him  how  wrong  it 
had  been  for  him  to  seize  the  fox,  no  matter  how 
excited  he  was,  or  how  much  daring  it  showed  to  do 
so,  since  he  had  not  been  ordered  to  seize,  but  only 
to  turn  the  beast  toward  the  Prince.  Besides,  to  raise 
a  hand  against  the  prince  was  treason — unless  it  were 
ordered  by  the  chief  of  the  Janizaries.  Therefore  he 
had  been  punished  according  to  the  Janizary  disci- 
7 


98  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

pline ;  though  they  would  not  have  allowed  any  one 
else  to  touch  him — no  not  even  the  Padishah  him- 
self. 

Michael's  spirit  was  fully  healed  with  such  words. 
His  depression  gave  way  to  a  hotter  ambition  and 
pride  of  expectation  than  he  had  ever  felt  before, 
when  Selim  put  upon  his  head  the  whitish  gray  cap, 
like  that  worn  by  the  dervishes,  and  differing  from  it 
only  in  having  upon  the  back  a  strip  of  wool  which 
the  old  man  thus  explained,  as  he  told  the  story  of  the 
organization  of  the  Janizary  corps. 

"  The  death  angel,  Azrael,  has  reaped  the  earth 
more  than  five  times  since  the  mighty  Othman,*  who 
founded  our  empire,  entered  paradise.  His  queen, 
Malkhatoon,  the  most  beautiful  of  women,  had  given 
him  two  sons.  Never  since  Khalif  Omar  followed  the 
Prophet  was  nobler  successor  than  would  have  been 
either  Alaeddin  or  Orchan  to  Othman.  The  stars 
shone  not  with  deeper  lustre  than  did  the  wisdom  of 
Alaeddin.  The  storm  never  burst  more  resistlessly  on 
your  Balkan  mountains  than  did  the  bravery  and 
strength  of  Orchan  beat  down  the  foe.  To  Orchan 
the  empire  came  by  will  of  Allah  and  Othman.  But 
to  Alaeddin  the  new  king  said,  '  Thou  art  wise,  my 
brother,  above  all  men.  Be  thou  the  eyes  of  the 
throne,  and  I  will  be  its  arm  ! '  So  Alaeddin  was  the 
great  minister  of  the  mighty  Orchan.  To  Prince 
Alaeddin  we  owe  our  best  laws,  our  system  of  drilling 
and  marching  in  all  the  Ottoman  armies. 

"  But  two  lights  are  better  known  than  one.     And 

*  Whence  the  word  Ottoman.  Also  written  Osman,  whence  the 
Osmanlis. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  99 

in  a  dream  the  Angel  Gabriel,  who  knows  the  secrets 
of  Allah  regarding  men,  said  to  Alaeddin,  '  Go  look 
into  the  eyes  of  Kara  Khalil  Tschendereli.  We  have 
given  him  a  thought  for  thee  and  thy  people.'  And 
Kara  Khalil  said,  '  Know,  O  wise  and  virtuous  Prince 
Alaeddin,  I  have  been  permitted  in  my  dreams  to 
stand  upon  the  wall  Al  Araf,  that  runs  between  para- 
dise and  hell.  In  the  third  story  of  the  seven  which 
divide  perdition  I  saw  the  ghosts  of  the  Giaours. 
But  while  I  watched  their  torments  the  spirit  of 
Othman,  the  Blessed,  came  to  me,  and,  pointing  to  a 
gate  in  the  wall,  said,  in  a  voice  so  sweet  that  all  the 
birds  in  paradise  echoed  it,  but  so  strong  that  it  shook 
the  mighty  wall  Al  Araf  as  if  it  would  fall,  "  I  charge 
thee,  as  thou  art  a  true  believer  in  Mahomet,  open 
that  gate  that  some  of  the  believers  in  Jesu,  Son  of 
Mary,  may  escape  into  paradise." 

"  '  "  What  power  have  I  for  such  a  miracle,  O  Oth- 
man," I  cried.  But  Othman  said  : 

"  '  "  Thou  shalt  save  the  souls  of  the  boys  among  the 
captives  Allah  gives  thee  in  battle.  Is  it  not  written 
in  the  Koran  that  all  the  children  are  at  their  birth 
gifted  with  the  true  faith.  Believe  this,  and  teach  the 
captive  boys  to  trust  the  Prophet,  to  breathe  the 
holy  Islam  of  Father  Abraham,  and  to  draw  the  sword 
for  Allah.  So  shalt  thou  be  a  saviour  of  many  souls. 
And  such  valor  will  Allah  send  these  rescued  ones,  and 
such  blessings  shall  follow  them,  that  the  Giaour 
children  shall  conquer  for  thee  the  Giaour 
nations."  ' 

"  And  so,  Michael,"  added  Selim,  "  the  wisdom  of 
earth  and  heaven  appointed  our  order.  We  are  still 


100         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

the  Yeni  Tscheri,*  though  a  century  has  gone  by  since 
we  were  founded;  for  the  vigor  of  perpetual  youth  is 
ours. 

"  When  Orchan,  at  such  advice  of  Alaeddin  and 
Kara  Khalil  enrolled  the  first  of  the  new  troop — bright 
Christian  boys  like  yourself,  Michael — they  were  led 
to  the  old  dervish,  Hadji  Beytarch,  whose  sanctity 
was  as  the  fragrance  of  paradise  itself.  The  face  of 
the  holy  man  caught  the  lustre  of  the  prophecy  from 
heaven.  As  he  drew  the  sleeve  of  his  mantle  over 
each  bowed  head — and  the  strip  of  wool  on  our  cap  is 
the  sign  of  his  sleeve — he  uttered  this  benediction: 
'  Thy  face  shall  be  white  and  shining  ;  thy  right  arm 
shall  be  strong  ;  thy  sabre  shall  be  keen  ;  and  thine 
arrows  sharp.  Thou  shalt  be  fortunate  in  fight,  and 
thou  shalt  never  leave  the  battle-field  save  as  a  con- 
queror.' " 

"  And  have  they  never  been  conquered  ?  "  asked 
Michael  with  incredulity. 

"  Never  !  "  cried  Selim. 

"  Except,"  added  Mustapha,  "  that  they  might  pre- 
pare themselves  for  some  greater  victory.  Allah  some- 
times makes  known  to  us  his  will  that  we  should 
retreat  ;  then  we  take  up  our  kismet  as  joyfully  as  we 
would  shout  the  advance.  That  we  may  make  sure  of 
Allah's  will,  before  retreating  we  always  assault  the 
enemy  thrice.  If  at  that  sacred  number  we  cannot 
conquer  we  know  that  the  victory  has  been  reserved, 
still  held  for  us,  but  in  the  closed  hand  of  Fate." 

"  But  what  of  those  who  were  killed  ?  I  certainly 
saw  many  Janizaries  lying  dead  in  the  snows  of  the 
*  Yeni  Tscheri;  new  troop  ;  corrupted  in  Janizary. 


CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         IOI 

Balkans  the  day  of  the  fight.  Are  they  not  conquered  ? " 
asked  the  boy. 

"  Nay,  more  than  conquerors,"  said  Mustapha. 
"  If  one  falls  in  battle  paradise  flings  wide  its  gates, 
and  troops  of  angels  and  houris  come  to  lead  his  soul 
in  a  triumphal  procession  into  that  beautiful  land 
where  the  earth  is  like  purest  musk,  and  where  the 
great  Tuba  tree  grows — a  branch  of  which  shades  the 
kiosk  of  every  believer,  and  bends  down  to  place  its 
luscious  fruit  into  his  hand,  if  he  so  much  as  desires 
it ;  where  are  grapes  and  pomegranates,  and  such  as 
for  spicy  sweetness  have  never  been  tasted  on  earth  ; 
where  are  streams  of  water  and  milk  and  wine  and 
honey,  whose  bottoms  are  pebbled  with  pearls  and 
emeralds  and  rubies  ;  where  the  houris,  the  fairest  of 
maidens,  dwell  close  beside  the  believer  in  pavilions  of 
hollow  pearls,  and  serve  every  wish  of  the  faithful  even 
before  he  can  utter  it."  * 

But  Michael's  eyes  were  heavy  ;  and  as  the  old  vet- 
erans diverted  the  conversation  to  some  matter  of 
business  between  them,  his  excited  imagination  repro- 
duced the  description  of  paradise  in  his  dreams.  Only, 
the  pavilion  of  pearl  was  shaped  like  good  Uncle  Ka- 
bilovitsch's  cot  on  the  mountains,  and  the  houris  were 
all  fair-haired  Morsinias. 

*  Vide  Koran. 


102          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

WEEKS  and  months  passed  away,  during  which 
the  physical  exercises  of  the  lads  in  the  Jani- 
zary school  were  varied  with  lessons  in  the  Turkish 
language  ;  and,  in  the  case  of  a  select  number,  in  the 
Arabic,  mastering  it  at  least  sufficiently  to  read  the 
Koran,  large  sections  of  which  they  were  compelled  to 
commit  to  memory. 

The  teachers  in  the  Janizary  schools  were  far  from 
ordinary  men.  They  were  highly  learned,  and,  like 
most  Orientals  of  education,  gifted  with  great  elo- 
quence. After  the  daily  tasks  had  been  accomplished 
the  boys  were  gathered  in  a  semicircle  upon  the  floor 
about  the  instructor,  who  sat  cross-legged  among  them, 
and  narrated  in  glowing  language  the  history  of  the 
Prophet  and  his  successors  in  the  khalifate  ;  inflaming 
their  young  minds  with  the  most  heroic  and  romantic 
legends  of  Arabia  and  Egypt,  Algiers  and  Granada, 
where  the  Koran  had  conquered  the  faith  of  the  peo- 
ple whom  the  swords  of  the  true  Moslems  had  subdued. 
Wild  stories  of  the  early  days  of  the  Turks,  before 
Ertoghral,*  "  The  Right-hearted  Man,"  led  the  tribes 
from  the  banks  of  the  Euphrates ;  and  earlier  still 
when  Seljuk  f  led  his  people  from  north  of  the  Cas- 
pian ;  of  the  settlement  of  their  remote  ancestors  in 
Afghanistan,  where  the  great  chief  was  first  called 
Sultan  ;  \  of  how  they  had  once  held  the  religious  faith 

*  About  1280  A.  D. 

f  About  the  end  of  the  tenth  century. 

\  Between  997  and  1030  A.  D. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         103 

of  Zoroaster.  Indeed,  myths  from  the  very  dawn  of 
known  history,  when  the  Turkius  did  all  sorts  of  vali- 
ant deeds  in  far-off  China.* 

The  Christian  books  were  made  to  appear  to  the 
young  proselyte  as  but  imperfect  suggestions  of  the 
completed  teaching  of  the  book  of  Mahomet ;  while 
the  peculiar  dogmas  of  the  Christians  were  restated 
with  such  shrewd  perversion  that  to  the  child's  judg- 
ment they  seemed  puerile  or  untrue. 

"  Behold  the  sky  !  "  one  would  exclaim.  "  Is  it  not 
one  dome,  like  the  canopy  of  one  mighty  throne  ?  Be- 
hold the  light !  Does  it  not  pour  from  one  sun  and  fill 
all  space  with  one  flood  ?  Breathe  the  air  !  Is  it  not  the 
same  over  all  lands  and  in  all  lungs  ?  Do  not  all  birds 
fly  with  one  mechanism  of  wings  ?  and  all  men  live  by  the 
same  beating  of  the  heart  ?  How  then  can  there  be 
three  Gods,  Allah,  and  Jesu  and  Mary,  as  the  Christians 
teach  ?  \  What  does  reason  say  ?  What  does  the  universe 
testify  ?  What  says  the  true  and  wise  believer  ? " 

"  There  is  one  God  and  Mahomet  is  His  Prophet," 
would  be  the  response  of  the  pupils,  bowing  their 
heads  to  the  floor. 

"  Can  the  less  contain  or  give  out  the  greater  ?  Can 
a  stone  bring  forth  the  orange  tree  ?  Can  a  stick  give 
birth  to  the  eagle  ?  A  worm  be  the  father  of  a  man  ? 
How,  then,  can  we  say  with  the  Christians,  that  Mary 
of  Bethlehem  is  the  mother  of  God  ?  What  says  the 
faithful  and  wise  believer?" 


*  Tribes  of  Turkius  were  mentioned  by  Pliny. 

f  This  perversion  of  the  Christian  dogma  of  the  Trinity  was 
taught  by  heretical  sects  in  the  time  of  the  Prophet  Mahomet,  and 
is  embodied  in  the  Koran. 


104  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

"  There  is  one  God,  and  Mahomet  is  His  prophet," 
would  be  the  choral  response. 

"  Is  God  weak  ?  Can  men  thwart  His  plans  ?  Shall 
we  then  believe  that  the  infidel  Jews  crucified  the  Son 
of  God  ? " 

"  God  is  great,  and  Mahomet  is  His  Prophet," 
would  roll  up  from  the  lips  of  the  scholars. 

"  Shall  we,  then,  kiss  the  toe  of  the  pope  because 
he  calls  himself  the  grand  vizier  of  Allah,  when  our 
Janizaries  can  cut  the  throats  of  his  soldiers,  as  our 
brethren  of  Arabia  destroyed  the  crusaders  ?  Or  shall 
we  kiss  the  hand  of  the  patriarch  of  the  Greeks,  who 
claims  supremacy  in  the  name  of  Allah,  when  already 
our  arms  have  shut  up  the  whole  Greek  empire  within 
the  walls  of  Constantinople  ?  What  says  the  faithful 
and  wise  believer  ?  " 

"  God  is  great,  and  Mahomet  is  His  Prophet,"  is 
the  reply. 

"  Who  would  cringe  and  beg  forgiveness  at  the  feet 
of  a  dirty  priest,  when  the  sword  of  every  Janizary  may 
open  for  him  who  holds  it  the  gate  of  paradise  ? " 

Not  only  such  arguments,  but  every  event  of  the 
day  that  could  emphasize  or  illustrate  the  superiority 
of  the  Moslem  faith,  was  skilfully  brought  to  bear 
upon  the  susceptible  minds  of  the  youths.  And 
within  the  first  year  of  Michael's  cadetship  one  such 
significant  event  occurred. 

In  the  year  of  the  Hegira  822,*  six  months  after 

the  flight  of  Scanderbeg,  it  was  solemnly  agreed  between 

Christian  and  Moslem  that  the  sword  should  have  rest 

for  ten  years.     A  stately  ceremony  was  made  to  seal 

*  A.  D.,  1444. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         105 

the  compact.  Vladislaus  of  Hungary  represented  in 
his  person  the  pledge  of  kingly  honor.  Hunyades 
gave  the  sanction  of  a  soldier's  word.  And  Cardinal 
Julian  was  supposed  to  have  added  to  the  treaty  the 
confirmation  of  all  that  was  sacred  in  the  religion  of 
which  he  was  so  exalted  a  representative.  On  behalf 
of  the  Christians,  the  concord  was  signalized  by  an 
oath  upon  the  Gospels.  On  the  other  side,  Sultan 
Amurath,  in  the  presence  of  his  generals  and  the 
holiest  of  the  Moslem  dervishes,  swore  upon  the 
Koran.  This  compact,  guarded  by  all  that  men  hold 
to  be  honorable  on  earth  and  sacred  in  heaven,  lulled 
the  suspicions  of  the  Turks.  The  rigid  drill,  the  alert 
espionage,  the  raids  along  the  border  gave  way  to  the 
indolence  of  the  barracks  and  the  pastimes  of  the 
camp.  Thousands  of  horses  and  their  riders  were 
returned  to  till  the  fields  in  the  Timars,  Ziamets  and 
Beyliks*  scattered  throughout  distant  provinces. 
The  Sultan  retired  to  meditate  religion,  or  devise  the 
things  belonging  to  permanent  peace,  in  his  secluded 
palace  at  Magnesia  in  Asia  Minor.  The  death  of  his 
eldest  son,  Prince  Aladdin,  led  him  to  put  the  crown 
of  associate  Padishah  upon  the  brow  of  the  young 
Mahomet  that  in  these  quiet  times  the  prince  might 
learn  the  minor  lessons  of  the  art  of  ruling. 

But  this  sense  of  security  among  the  Turks  offered 
too  strong  a  temptation  to  the  cupidity  of  the  Christian 
leaders.  King  Vladislaus  opposed  conscientious 
objections  to  any  breach  of  the  compact.  Hunyades 
maintained  his  personal  honor  by  at  first  refusing  to 
draw  his  sword.  But  Cardinal  Julian  stood  sponsor  to 
*  Fi.fs  or  portions  of  conquered  lands  given  to  soldiers. 


106          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

a  breach  of  faith,  and  announced  that  principle  which 
has,  in  the  estimate  of  history,  made  his  scarlet  robe 
the  symbol  of  his  scarlet  sin — that  no  faith  need  be 
kept  with  infidels  ;  and,  in  the  name  of  the  Holy 
Father,  granted  absolution  to  the  chief  actors  for  what 
they  were  about  to  do. 

Without  warning,  the  tide  of  Christian  conquest 
poured  from  Servia  eastward  until  it  was  checked  in 
that  direction  by  the  Black  Sea.  The  hordes  of  Europe 
then  turned  southward,  seized  upon  Varna,  and  pitched 
their  camps  amid  the  pennants  of  their  ill-gotten  vic- 
tory near  to  its  walls.  To  human  sight  no  power  could 
avert  irrevocable  disaster  to  the  arms,  if  not  the  sub- 
version of  the  entire  empire  of  the  Ottomans  in  Europe. 

In  their  extremity  the  lands  of  the  Moslem  made 
their  solemn  appeal  to  Allah.  Every  mosque  resounded 
with  reiterated  prayers.  The  camps  echoed  the 
pious  invocations  with  loud  curses  and  the  rattle  of  the 
preparation  of  armor.  Scurrying  messengers  flew 
from  the  centre  to  the  circumference  of  the  Ottoman 
domain,  and  hastily  gathered  legions  concentrated  for 
one  supreme  blow  in  retaliation  for  the  grossness  of 
the  insult,  and  in  vindication  of  what  they  believed  to 
be  the  cause  of  honor  and  truth,  which,  in  their  minds, 
was  one  with  that  of  Allah  and  the  Prophet. 

The  Sultan  hurried  from  his  retreat,  and  with  mar- 
vellous celerity  marshalled  the  faithful  against  the 
invaders  at  Varna.  Riding  at  the  head  of  the  Jani- 
zaries, he  caused  the  document  of  the  violated  treaty 
to  be  held  aloft  on  a  lance-head  in  the  gaze  of  the  two 
armies,  and  with  a  loud  voice  uttered  this  prayer — a 
strange  one  for  a  Moslem's  lips — 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          107 

"  O,  Thou  insulted  Jesu,  revenge  the  wrong  done 
unto  Thy  good  name,  and  show  Thy  power  upon  Thy 
perjured  people  ! " 

Victory  hovered  long  between  the  contending  hosts, 
but  at  last  rested  with  the  Moslems.  To  make  the 
intervention  of  Allah  more  apparent,  it  was  told  every- 
where, how,  when  Amurath  believed  that  he  was 
defeated,  and  had  given  the  order  for  retreat,  a  sol- 
dier seized  the  bridle  of  the  Sultan's  horse  and  turned 
him  back  again  toward  the  enemy.  The  very  beast 
felt  the  inspiration  of  heaven,  and  led  the  assault  upon 
the  breaking  columns  of  the  Christians,  until  the 
victors  returned,  bearing  upon  spear-points  the 
heads  of  Cardinal  Julian  and  King  Vladislaus  ;  while 
Hunyades  fled  in  disgrace  from  the  field. 

It  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  such  an  event, 
which  led  many  whole  communities  to  renounce  their 
alliance  with  the  Christian  powers,  and  many  of  the 
chiefs  of  Bosnia  and  Servia  to  accept  the  Moslem 
faith,  should  have  rooted  that  faith  more  deeply  in 
the  hearts  of  those  who  already  held  it.  A  flame  of 
fanaticism  ran  throughout  the  Mohammedan  world. 
The  most  rabid  sects  increased  in  the  number  and 
fury  of  their  devotees.  Many  who  were  engaged  in 
useful  occupations  left  them  to  became  Moslem  monks, 
spending  their  lives  in  meditation,  if  perchance  they 
might  receive  more  fully  the  blessings  which  heaven 
seemed  ready  to  pour  upon  every  true  believer  ;  or  to 
become  preachers  of  the  jehad — the  holy  war  against 
the  infidels. 

In  the  schools  of  the  Janizaries  the  fanaticism  was 
fed  and  fanned  to  a  flame  of  utmost  intensity.  The 


108         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

square  court  within  their  barracks  was  transformed 
into  a  great  prayer  place  of  the  dervishes.  Here  the 
Howlers  formed  their  circles,  and  swaying  backward 
and  forward  with  flying  hair  and  glaring  eyes,  grunted 
their  talismanic  words  from  the  Koran,  until  they  fell 
in  convulsions  on  the  pavement.  And  the  Wheelers 
spun  round  and  round  in  their  mystic  motions  until, 
full  of  the  spirit  they  sought,  they  dropped  in  the 
dizzying  dance.  Learned  sheiks  preached  the  gospel 
of  the  sword,  and  the  imams  watered  the  seed  thus 
sown  with  fervent  prayers,  until  the  ardent  souls  of  the 
youth  seemed  to  have  lost  their  human  identity,  and 
to  be  transformed  into  sparks  and  flashes  of  some 
celestial  fire  which  was  to  destroy  the  lands  of  the 
Christians. 

Michael's  mind  was  not  altogether  unimpressed  by 
the  religious  fanaticism  that  raged  around  him.  While 
in  quiet  moments  he  was  troubled  with  what  he  heard 
against  the  Christian  faith  which  he  had  been  taught 
in  his  mountain  home,  at  other  times  he  was  caught 
in  the  tide  of  the  general  enthusiasm  and  felt  himself 
borne  along  with  it,  swirled  around  in  the  rings  of  the 
mad  maelstrom  ;  not  unwilling  to  yield  himself  to  the 
excitement,  and  yet  by  no  definite  purpose  committing 
himself  to  it.  If  it  requires  all  the  strength  of  an 
adult  mind,  with  convictions  long  held  and  character 
well  formed,  to  maintain  its  faith  and  principles 
against  the  attrition  of  daily  temptation  in  a  Christian 
land,  we  must  not  be  surprised  if  the  child  gave  way 
to  the  incessant  appeal  of  the  Moslem  belief,  accompan- 
ied as  it  was  by  extravagant  promises  of  secular  pleas- 
ure, and  counteracted  by  no  word  of  Christian  counsel. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         109 

But  the  spiritual  impulse  in  Michael  was  less  active 
than  the  martial  instinct ;  and  this  latter  was  stimu- 
lated to  the  utmost  by  the  associations  of  every  day 
and  hour.  The  battles  which  were  fought  on  the 
great  fields  were  all  refought  in  the  vivid  descriptions 
of  the  Janizary  teachers,  and  sometimes  in  the  mimic 
rencounters  of  the  playground.  Michael  rebelled 
against  his  childish  years  which  prevented  his  joining 
some  of  the  great  expeditions  that  were  fitted  out  ; — 
against  the  Greeks  of  the  Peloponnesus,  the  Giaour 
lands  to  the  north,  and  the  Albanians  on  the  west, 
who,  under  Scanderbeg,  had  become  the  chief  menace 
against  the  Ottoman  power. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

career  of  Scanderbeg,  or  Castriot,  as  the  Al- 
1  banians  love  to  call  their  great  national  hero, 
makes  one  of  the  most  illustrious  pages  in  history, 
whether  we  look  for  the  display  of  personal  courage, 
astute  generalship,  or  loftiest  patriotism.  His  military 
renown,  already  so  wide-spread  as  the  commander  of 
the  Turks,  became  universal  through  the  almost  in- 
credible skill  with  which,  for  many  years,  his  handful 
of  patriots  held  the  mountains  of  Albania  against  the 
countless  armies  of  the  Sultan.  His  superlative  de- 
votion to  his  country,  was  maintained  with  such  sacri- 
fices as  few  men  have  ever  rendered  to  the  holiest 
cause.  He  resisted  the  bribes  of  riches,  power  and 


no  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

splendor  with  which  the  Sultan,  baffled  by  his  arms,  at- 
tempted to  seduce  his  honor.  These  things  went  far  to 
atone  for  the  treachery  of  his  defection  from  the  Turk- 
ish service. 

Upon  his  arrival  in  Albania,  the  citadel  of  Croia 
was  given  into  his  hands  by  the  commandant,  who  was 
either  unsuspicious  of  the  false  order  that  was  sealed 
by  the  now  dead  hand  of  the  Sultan's  secretary,  or  who 
had  found  that  the  wily  Albanians  had  already  access  to 
its  gates.  Sfetigrade  and  other  prominent  fortresses 
fell  rapidly,  won  by  strategy  or  by  the  valorous  assault 
of  the  patriots.  The  Albanians  had  been  almost  in- 
stantaneously transformed  into  an  invincible  army 
by  the  electric  thrill  which  the  coming  of  Castriot 
had  sent  everywhere,  from  the  borders  of  Macedonia  to 
the  western  sea  ;  and  by  the  skill  with  which  that 
great  captain  organized  his  bands  of  Epirots  and  Dib- 
rians.  An  army  of  forty  thousand  Turks  was  at  one 
time  divided  by  his  masterly  movements,  and  slain  in 
detail.  A  second  army  met  a  similar  fate.  The  great 
Sultan  himself  attempted  the  capture  of  this  Arnaout 
"  wild  beast,  "  as  he  had  learned  to  call  him.  One  hun- 
dred and  fifty  thousand  men,  supplied  from  the  far- 
reaches  of  Asia  where  the  Ottoman  made  most  of  his 
levies,  swarmed  like  a  plague  of  locusts  through  the 
valleys  of  Epirus.  By  sheer  momentum  of  numbers 
they  pressed  their  way  up  to  the  fortress  of  Sfetigrade. 

The  defence  of  this  place  is  one  of  the  most  heroic 
in  the  annals  of  war  or  patriotism.  As  the  glacier 
melts  at  the  touch  of  the  warm  earth  in  the  Alpine  val- 
leys so  the  mighty  army  of  Amurath  dissolved  in  blood 
as  it  touched  the  beleaguered  walls.  At  the  same  time 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          m 

Scanderbeg,  adopting  some  new  expedient  in  every  at- 
tack, made  his  almost  nightly  raids  through  the  centre 
of  the  Turkish  host,  like  a  panther  through  the  folds  of 
the  sheep,  until  Amurath  cried  in  sheer  vexation  among 
the  generals,  "  Will  none  of  you  save  us  from  the  fury 
of  that  wild  beast  ?  "  The  incessant  slaughter  that 
broke  the  bewildered  silence  of  the  generals  was  the 
only  response. 

Thus  passed  some  six  years  since  the  time  when 
our  story  opens  ;  years  which,  had  they  stood  by  them- 
selves, and  not  been  followed  by  fifteen  years  more  of 
equal  prowess,  would  have  won  for  Scanderbeg  the  un- 
stinted praise  of  that  distinguished  writer  who  enrolls 
him  among  the  seven  greatest  uncrowned  men  of  the 
world's  history.* 

During  these  years  Castriot  had  studied  with  closest 
scrutiny  the  character  of  his  nephew,  Amesa.  His 
natural  discernment,  aided  by  his  long  observation  of 
human  duplicity  while  among  the  Turks — and,  indeed 
by  his  own  experience,  as  for  many  years  he  had 
masked  his  own  discontent  and  ultimate  purpose — gave 
him  a  power  of  estimating  men  which  may  be  called  a 
moral  clairvoyance.  He  discovered  that  in  his 
nephew  which  led  him  to  credit  the  story  of  Kabilo- 
vitsch — as  the  forester  Arnaud  was  still  called,  although 
some  more  than  suspected  his  identity.  The  chief 
saw  clearly  that  Amesa's  loyalty  would  be  limited  by 
his  selfish  interests.  Those  interests  now  led  him  to 
most  faithful  and  apparently  patriotic  devotion.  Be- 
sides, the  loss  or  alienation  of  so  influential  a  young 
voivode,  involving  a  schism  in  the  house  of  the  Cas- 
*  Sir  William  Temple. 


1 1 2          THE  CA  P  TA  IN  OF  THE  JA  NIZA  RIES. 

triots,  might  be  fatal  to  the  Albanian  cause.  The  gen- 
eral, therefore,  fed  the  ambition  of  his  relative,  giving 
him  honorable  command,  for  which  he  was  well  fitted 
by  reason  of  both  courage  and  genius.  Nor  did 
Amesa  disappoint  this  confidence.  His  sword  was 
among  the  sharpest  and  his  deeds  most  daring.  The 
peasant  soldiers  often  said  that  Amesa  was  not  un- 
worthy the  blood  of  the  Castriots.  To  Sultan  Amu- 
rath's  proposal  of  peace  on  condition  of  Scanderbeg's 
simple  recognition  of  the  Ottoman's  nominal  suzerain- 
ty, allowing  him  to  retain  the  full  actual  possession  of 
all  his  ancestral  holdings,  Amesa's  voice  joined  with 
that  of  Moses  Goleme  and  the  other  allied  nobles  in 
commending  the  refusal  of  their  chief. 

Amesa's  courage  and  zeal  seemed  at  times  to  pass 
the  control  of  his  judgment.  Thus,  in  a  sharp  battle 
with  the  Turks,  during  the  temporary  absence  of 
Castriot,  who  was  resisting  an  encroachment  of  the 
Venetians  on  the  neighboring  country  of  Montenegro, 
the  fiery  young  voivode  was  seized  with  such  blind 
ferocity  that  he  knew  not  where  he  was.  He  had 
engaged  a  group  of  his  own  countrymen,  apparently 
not  discerning  his  mistake  until  he  had  unhorsed  one 
of  them,  whom  he  was  on  the  point  of  sabering,  when 
his  arm  was  caught  by  a  comrade.  The  endangered 
man  was  Kabilovitsch,  who  saw  that  there  was  a 
method  in  Amesa's  madness  which  it  behoved  him  to 
note. 

It  was  evident  to  Kabilovitsch  not  only  that  he  was 
recognized  by  Amesa,  but  also  that  the  young  voivode 
was  more  than  suspicious  of  the  former  forester's 
knowledge  of  the  affair  by  which  the  magnificent 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         113 

estate  of  De  Streeses  had  passed  into  his  hands.  The 
good  man's  solicitude  was  intense  through  fear  that 
Amesa  had  become  aware  of  the  escape  of  the  child 
heir,  and  might  discover  some  clue  to  her  whereabouts. 
Several  times  Milosch  had  visited  the  camp  inquiring 
for  Kabilovitsch  ;  and  Constantine  had  made  frequent 
journeys  carrying  tidings  of  Morsinia's  welfare.  Had 
neither  of  these  been  spied  upon  ?  Did  no  one  ever 
pass  the  little  hamlet  where  she  was  in  covert  who 
recognized  in  the  now  daily  developing  womanly  feat- 
ures the  likeness  of  her  mother,  Mara  De  Streeses  ? 

A  little  after  this  assault  of  Amesa  upon  Kabilo- 
vitsch, came  news  which  startled  the  latter.  To  under- 
stand this  the  reader  must  penetrate  a  wild  moun- 
tainous district  a  double  score  of  miles  from  the  camp 
of  Castriot. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

OUT  of  a  broad  valley,  through  which  lies  the  chief 
highway  leading  to  the  north-west  of  Albania, 
there  opens    a  narrow  ravine    which  seems  to    end 
abruptly  against  the  precipitous  front  of  a  mountain 
range.     But,  turning  into  this  ravine,  one  is  surprised 
to     find  that   it  winds     sharply,    following    a   swift 
stream,  and    climbing  for    many    miles  through  the 
mountain,  until  it  suddenly  debouches  into  a  pictur- 
esque valley,  which  affords  grazing  space  for  sheep 
8 


114         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

and  enough  arable  land  to  sustain  the  peasants  who 
once  dwelt  there. 

A  hamlet  nestled  in  this  secluded  vale.  No  road 
led  beyond  it,  and  it  was  approached  only  by  the  nar- 
row and  tortuous  path  we  have  described.  A  rude 
mill  sentineled  a  line  of  three  houses.  These  dwell- 
ings, though  simple  in  their  construction,  were  quite 
commodious.  A  room  of  ample  dimensions  was 
enclosed  with  walls  of  stone  and  loam,  supporting  a 
conical  roof  of  thatch.  On  three  sides  of  this  room 
and  opening  into  it  were  smaller  chambers,  having 
detached  roofs  of  their  own.  The  central  apartment 
was  the  common  gathering  place  for  quite  an  exten- 
sive community,  consisting  of  a  family  in  three  or  four 
generations  ;  for  each  son  upon  marrying  brought  his 
wife  to  the  paternal  homestead,  and  built  a  new  cham- 
ber connecting  with  the  central  one.  The  three  houses 
contained  altogether  nearly  a  hundred  souls.  The 
last  of  these  dwellings  was  of  ampler  proportions  than 
the  others,  and  was  occupied  by  a  branch  of  an  ancient 
family  to  which  the  inhabitants  of  the  other  houses 
were  all  of  kin.  By  reason  of  its  antiquity  as  well  as 
the  comparative  wealth  of  its  occupants,  it  was 
regarded  as  the  konak,  or  village  mansion  ;  and  the 
senior  member  of  its  little  community  was  recognized 
as  the  stargeshina,  or  chief  of  the  village. 

It  was  the  latter  part  of  April ;  the  day  before  that 
upon  which  from  time  immemorial  the  peasants  among 
these  mountains  had  observed  the  festival  of  Saint 
George,  which  they  devoted  to  ceremonies  commemo- 
rative of  the  awakening  summer-life  of  the  world. 

It  was  still  early  in  the  afternoon,  though  the  high 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES,         115 

mountain  wall  on  the  west  had  shut  out  the  sun,  whose 
bright  rays,  however,  still  burning  far  overhead, 
dropped  their  benediction  of  roseate  shadows  into  the 
valley  they  were  not  permitted  to  enter  ;  loading  the 
atmosphere  with  as  many  tints  as  there  were  in 
Buddha's  bowl  when  the  poor  man  threw  in  the  bud  of 
genuine  charity,  and  it  burst  into  a  thousand  flowers. 

A  group  of  maidens  gathered  at  the  little  mill,  each 
holding  an  earthen  bowl  to  catch  the  glistening  spray 
drops  which  danced  from  the  edge  of  the  clumsy  water- 
wheel.  When  these  were  filled  they  cast  into  the 
"  witching  waters  "  the  early  spring  flowers,  anemones 
and  violets  and  white  coral  arbutus,  which  they  had 
picked  during  the  day.  It  was  a  pleasing  superstition 
that  the  water,  having  been  beaten  into  spray,  received 
life  from  the  flowers  which  the  renewed  vitality  of  the 
awakening  spring  spirit  had  pressed  up  through  the 
earth  ;  and  that,  if  one  should  bathe  in  this  on  St. 
George's  day,  health  and  happiness  would  attend  him 
during  the  year. 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  cried  one  as  a  crackling  in  the  bushes 
far  above  their  heads  on  a  steep  crag  was  followed  in 
a  moment  by  the  beat  of  a  pebble,  as  it  glanced  from 
ledge  to  ledge  almost  to  their  feet. 

"  The  sheep  are  not  up  there  !  "said  another. 

"  Perhaps  the  Vili !  "  *  suggested  a  third,  "  for  I  am 
sure  that  I  have  seen  one  this  very  day." 

"  What  was  he  like  ? "  exclaimed  several  at  once, 
while  all  kept  their  eyes  upon  the  cliff  above. 

"  There  !  there  !  Did  you  see  it  ?  "  Several  avowed 
that  they  saw  it  stealing  along  the  very  brow  of  the 
*  Still  a  Servian  and  Albanian  superstition. 


1 1 6  THE  CA  P  TA  IN  OF  THE  JA  NIZA  RIES. 

hill ;  but  all  agreed  that  it  passed  so  swiftly  that  they 
could  not  tell  just  what  they  saw. 

"  It  was  just  so  with  the  one  I  saw  to-day,"  said  the 
former  speaker.  "  I  was  on  the  ledge  by  the  old 
eagle's  nest,  gathering  my  flowers.  A  tall  being  passed 
below  me  on  the  path,  dressed  so  beautifully  that  I 
know  it  was  none  of  us,  and  had  dealings  with  none  of 
us.  It  seemed  anxious  not  to  be  seen  ;  for  my  little 
cry  of  surprise  caused  it  to  vanish  as  if  it  melted  into 
the  foam  of  the  stream  as  it  plunges  into  the  pool." 

"  That  was  just  like  the  Vili,"  interposed  one. 
"  They  live  under  the  river's  bank.  They  talk  in  the 
murmur  of  the  streams.  Old  Mirko,  who  used  to  work 
much  in  the  mill,  learned  to  understand  what  they  said. 
Did  this  one  you  saw  have  long  hair  ?  The  Vili,  Mirko 
said,  always  did." 

"  I  cannot  say,"  replied  the  girl,  "  for  its  head  was 
hidden  in  a  blossoming  laurel  bush  between  it  and 
me." 

"  It  was  one,"  cried  another,  "  for  there  are  no 
blossoming  laurels  yet.  It  was  its  long  white  hair 
waving  in  the  wind,  that  you  saw." 

"  Let  us  go  down  to  the  pool !  "  proposed  one, 
"  maybe  we  can  see  it  again." 

"  No  !  No  !  "  cried  the  others,  in  a  chorus  of  trem- 
ulous voices. 

"  No,  indeed,"  said  one  of  the  larger  girls,  "  for  it 
might  be  they  are  eating,  or  they  are  dancing  the 
Kolo — which  they  always  do  as  the  sun  goes  down, 
and  if  any  body  sees  them  then  they  get  angry,  and 
will  come  to  your  house  and  look  at  you  with  the  evil 
eye." 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         117 

Hasting  home  with  their  bowls  of  water  crowned 
with  flowers,  they  told  their  story  to  the  stargeshina. 

The  old  man  laughed  at  their  credulity  : — 

"  Girls  always  see  strange  things  on  the  eve  of 
Saint  George." 

At  the  evening  meal  in  the  great  room  of  the  first 
house,  the  patriarch,  taking  his  cue  from  the  story  the 
girls  belonging  to  that  household  had  told  of  their 
imagined  vision,  repeated  legend  after  legend  about 
those  strange  beings  that  people  the  unknown  caverns 
in  the  mountains,  and  rise  from  the  brooks,  leaving 
the  water-spiders  to  mark  the  spot  where  they  emerged 
so  that  they  may  find  their  way  back  again,  and  of  the 
wjeshtiges,  who  throw  off  their  bodies  as  easily  as 
others  lay  aside  their  clothes,  flit  through  the  fire,  ride 
upon  the  sparks  as  horses,  float  on  the  threads  of  white 
smoke — all  the  time  watching  the  persons  gathered 
about  the  blazing  logs,  that  they  may  mark  the  one 
who  is  first  to  die.  "  This  doomed  person,"  the  old  man 
said,  "  they  visit  when  he  has  gone  to  sleep,  and,  with 
a  magic  rod,  open  his  breast ;  utter  in  mystic  words 
the  day  of  his  death  ;  take  out  his  heart  and  feast 
upon  it.  Then  they  carefully  close  up  the  side,  and, 
though  the  victim  lives  on,  having  no  heart,  no  spring 
of  life  in  him,  sickens  and  droops  until  the  fatal  day  ; 
as  the  streams  vanish  when  cut  off  from  the  fountains 
whence  they  start." 

These  stories  were  followed  by  songs,  the  music  of 
which  was  within  a  narrow  range  of  notes,  and  sung  to 
the  accompaniment  of  the  gusle — a  rude  sort  of  guitar 
with  a  single  string.  The  subjects  of  these  songs  and 
the  ideas  they  contained  were  as  limited  in  their 


1 1 8          THE  CA  P  TAIN  OF  THE  JA  NIZA  RIES. 

range  as  the  notes  by  which  they  were  rendered  ;  such 
as  the  impossible  exploits  of  heroes,  and  improbable 
romances  of  love.  The  merit  of  the  singing  generally 
consisted  in  the  additions  or  variations  with  which 
the  genius  of  the  performer  enabled  him  to  adorn  the 
hackneyed  music  or  original  narrative. 

"  Let  Constantine  take  the  gusle,  and  sing  us  the 
song  about  the  peasant  maid  who  conquered  the  heart 
of  the  king,"  said  the  stargeshina. 

"Constantine  is  not  here,"  replied  a  clear  and 
sweet,  but  commanding  sort  of  voice.  "  He  went  out 
as  it  began  to  darken,  and  has  not  returned." 

The  speaker  rose  as  she  said  it,  and  went  toward 
the  large  door  of  the  room  to  look  out.  She  was  a 
young  woman  of  slender,  but  superb  form,  which  the 
costume  of  the  country  did  not  altogether  conceal. 
She  was  tall  and  straight,  but  moved  with  the  grace- 
ful freedom  of  a  child,  for  her  straightness  was  not 
that  of  an  arrow — rather  of  the  unstrung  bow,  whose 
beauty  is  revealed  by  its  flexibility.  Her  limbs 
were  rounded  perfectly  to  the  feminine  model,  but 
were  evidently  possessed  of  muscular  strength  devel- 
oped by  daily  exercise  incident  to  her  mountain  life. 
A  glance  at  her  would  disprove  that  western  theory 
which  associates  the  ideal  of  female  beauty  only  with 
softness  of  fleshly  texture  and  lack  of  sinew.  Her  face 
was  commanding,  brow  high,  eyes  rather  deep-set  and 
blue,  mouth  small — perhaps  too  straight  for  the  best 
expression  of  amiability — chin  full,  and  suggestive  of 
firmness  and  courage.  As  she  gazed  through  the 
doorway  into  the  night  a  troubled  look  knit  her  feat- 
ures— just  enough,  however,  to  make  one  notice  rather 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  119 

the  strong,  steady  and  heroic  purpose  which  con- 
quered it.  When  she  turned  again  to  the  company 
the  firelight  revealed  only  a  girlish  sweetness  and  gen- 
tleness of  face  and  manner.  She  took  the  gusle  and 
sang  a  pretty  song  about  the  dancing  of  the  witches  ; 
her  merry  voice  starting  a  score  of  other  voices  in  the 
simple  chorus.  Then  followed  a  war  song,  in  which 
the  daughter  of  a  murdered  chieftain  calls  upon  the 
clan  to  avenge  her  father,  and  save  their  land  from  an 
insulting  foe.  It  was  largely  recitative,  and  rendered 
with  so  much  of  the  realistic  in  her  tones  and  manner 
as  to  draw  even  the  old  men  to  their  feet,  while,  with 
waving  hands  and  marching  stamp,  they  started  the 
company  in  the  refrain. 

Milosch  set  the  example  of  retiring  when  the  even- 
ing was  well  advanced.  Though  Constantine  was 
still  absent,  it  gave  his  father  no  anxiety,  for  the  boy 
was  accustomed  to  have  his  own  private  business  with 
coons  in  the  forest,  and  the  eels  in  the  pool,  and,  in- 
deed, with  the  stars  too — for  often  he  would  lie  for 
hours  looking  at  them,  only  Morsinia  being  allowed 
to  interrupt  his  conference  with  the  bright-eyed 
watchers  above. 


120         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

/^ONSTANTINE,  who  was  now  a  manly  fellow  of 
\j  nearly  eighteen  years,  had  left  the  house  when 
it  grew  dark.  The  night  was  thick,  for  heavy  clouds 
had  spread  their  pall  over  the  sky.  A  little  space 
from  the  house  was  the  kennel.  A  deep  growl 
greeted  his  approach  to  it. 

"  Still,  Balk  !  "  muttered  he,  as  he  loosed  an  enor- 
mous mastiff,  and  led  the  brute  toward  the  side  of 
the  house  on  which  the  clijet,  or  chamber,  occupied 
by  Morsinia  was  located. 

"  Down,  Balk  !  "  he  said,  as  again  and  again  the 
huge  beast  rose  and  placed  his  paws  upon  his  mas- 
ter's shoulders.  Balk  was  tied  within  a  clump  of 
elder-bushes  a  little  way  from  the  house,  and  at  the 
opening  of  a  foot-path  ascending  the  mountain.  The 
young  man  lay  down  with  his  head  upon  the  mastiff. 
Nearly  an  hour  passed  ;  the  silence  unbroken  except 
by  a  querulous  whine  of  the  dog  as  his  comrade 
refused  to  indulge  his  playful  spirit.  Suddenly  Balk 
threw  up  his  head  and  sniffed  the  air  nervously.  Yet 
no  sound  was  heard,  but  the  soughing  of  the  winds 
through  the  budding  trees,  and  the  murmur  of  the 
brook.  The  animal  became  restless  and  would  not 
lie  down  except  at  the  sternly  whispered  command. 

Leaving  him,  Constantine  opened  the  shutter  of  the 
clijet  occupied  by  his  father  and  himself,  and  quietly 
entered.  Though  in  the  dark,  he  strung  a  strong  bow, 
balanced  several  arrows  in  his  hand  to  determine  the 
best,  saying  to  himself  as  he  did  so,  "  I  can  send  these 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         121 

straight  in  the  direction  of  a  sound,  thanks  to  my  night 
hunting  ! "  A  dagger  was  thrust  into  the  top  of  his 
leather  hose.  He  wound  his  head  in  the  strooka — the 
cloth  which  answers  for  both  cap  and  pillow  to  those 
who  are  journeying  among  those  mountains  and  liable 
to  exposure  without  bed  or  roof  at  night. 

The  noise  though  slight  awakened  Milosch,  who  had 
fallen  into  a  light  sleep. 

"  Where  now,  my  boy  ?  No  coon  will  come  to  you 
such  a  night  as  this." 

"  Father,  I  did  not  tell  you,  because  you  laugh  at 
my  fears,"  said  Constantine  in  a  low  tone.  "  But 
the  anxiety  of  Uncle  Kabilovitsch  and  the  great  cap- 
tain, too,  when  I  went  to  camp  last  week,  makes  me 
more  cautious  about  Morsinia.  The  Vili  are  about, 
as  the  girls  said." 

"  Nonsense,  you  child  !  It's  a  shame  that  a  boy  of 
your  years  should  believe  such  stuff.  Besides  what 
have  the  Vili  to  do  with  our  daughter  ?  " 

"  Look  here,  father  ;  when  I  was  searching  for  a 
rabbit's  burrow  this  afternoon  I  saw  the  footprint  of 
one  of  them,  and  it  wore  a  soldier's  shoe  too.  That 
is  the  sort  of  Vili  I  believe  in." 

"  Why,  boy  !  "  said  Milosch,  "  your  head  is  so  full 
of  soldiering  that  rabbits'  burrows  look  like  soldiers' 
feet.  Or  your  head  is  so  turned  with  love  for  our 
girl,  that  you  must  imitate  the  Latin  knights,  and  go 
watch  beneath  the  shutter  of  your  lady's  castle.  Go, 
along,  then,  and  let  the  night  dews  take  the  folly  out 
of  you.  Foolish  boy  !  "  added  he,  as  he  turned  toward 
the  wall. 

Constantine  went  back  to  the  dog.     The  huge  beast 


122  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

had  thrust  himself  as  far  as  the  cord  would  allow  him 
in  the  direction  away  from  the  house,  and  stood  tremb- 
ling with  excitement  as  he  peered  into  the  black 
shadows  which  lay  against  the  mountain.  Constan- 
tine  could  detect  no  unusual  sound  save  the  creaking 
of  the  gigantic  limbs  of  the  trees  as  they  rubbed 
against  each  other  in  the  rising  wind,  the  sharpening 
whistle  of  the  breeze,  and  the  crackle  of  the  dead  brush- 
wood. Yet  the  mastiff's  excitement  increased.  He 
strained  the  rope  with  his  utmost  strength,  but  the 
hand  of  his  master  upon  his  neck  checked  the  whin- 
ing growl. 

A  branch  snapped  on  the  hillside  in  the  direction  of 
the  path. 

"  No  wind  did  that,"  muttered  he.  A  stone  rolled 
down  the  declivity. 

"  No  foot  familiar  with  that  path  did  that.  You 
are  right,  Balk  !  "  and  by  main  strength  he  pressed  the 
mastiff's  head  to  the  ground,  and,  with  his  arm  about 
his  neck,  kept  him  crouching  and  silent. 

Stealthy  steps  were  heard. 

"  One  !  Two  !  "  counted  the  boy.  "  You  and  I  are 
enough  for  them,  eh,  Balk  ?  " 

The  dog  licked  the  face  of  his  master  in  token  that 
he  understood,  and  would  take  his  man  if  Constantine 
would  do  equally  well. 

"  Three  !  Four  !  Five  !  A  large  band  !  Too  many 
for  us,  Balk  !  We  must  rouse  the  village " 

But  at  the  moment  he  would  have  started,  his  atten- 
tion was  arrested  by  low  voices  almost  at  his  side. 

"The  clijet  nearest.  When  she  is  taken  I  will 
sound  the  bugle  call — the  Turkish  call,  so  that  your 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.       123 

dash  through  the  village  will  be  thought  to  be  one  of 
their  dashes.  Do  as  little  real  damage  as  you  can, 
keeping  the  appearance  of  a  genuine  raid  ;  but  no 
matter  if  you  have  to  cut  the  throats  of  a  half-dozen 
or  more  ;  especially  the  red-headed  fellow  you  have 
seen  in  camp,  and  the  old  devil  with  the  paralyzed 
arm.  I  and  Waldy  will  carry  the  girl,  and  wait  for 
you  by  the  horses  on  the  open  road.  Let's  inspect !  " 

Two  dusky  outlines  moved  toward  the  house. 
Constantine  cut  the  rope,  and,  at  a  push  of  his  hand 
the  dog  crawled  a  few  feet  until  he  was  clear  of  the 
copse  ;  then  sprang  into  the  air.  There  was  a  hardly 
audible  exclamation  of  surprise  and  terror  ;  a  low 
growl  of  satisfied  rage,  as  when  a  tiger  seizes  the  food 
thrown  to  him  in  his  cage.  One  man  is  down  in 
death  grapple  with  his  strange  assailant  whose  teeth 
are  at  his  throat.  A  sharp  whiz  and  a  cry  of  pain  tell 
that  the  arrow  of  Constantine  has  not  missed  its  mark. 

A  second  whiz,  and  the  form  topples  ! 

The  boy  stood  stupefied  with  the  reaction  of  the 
moment.  But  the  multiplying  footfalls  along  the 
ledge  aroused  him.  He  darted  into  the  house,  swing- 
ing the  great  bar  that  turned  on  a  peg  in  the  door 
post  across  the  entrance,  and  thus  securing  it  behind 
him.  To  arouse  the  household  was  the  work  of  a 
moment.  A  word  explained  all.  Arms  were  seized 
not  only  by  the  men,  but  also  by  the  women  :  for  even 
to  this  day  a  marauder  will  meet  no  more  skilful  and 
brave  defenders  of  the  villages  of  Albania  than  the 
wives  and  daughters  who  encourage  the  men  by  their 
example  as  well  as  by  their  words.  Their  hands  are 
trained  to  use  the  sword,  the  axe,  the  dagger ;  and 


124          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

the  cry  of  danger  transforms  the  most  domestic  scene 
into  an  exhibition  of  Amazons. 

The  expected  attack  was  delayed.  Fears  were 
excited  lest  the  raiders  were  about  to  set  fire  to  the 
house.  If  such  were  the  case,  the  policy  of  the 
inmates  was  to  sally  forth  and  cut  their  way  through 
the  assailants,  at  whatever  cost.  Some  one  must  go 
out.  It  might  be  to  meet  death  at  the  door.  Stand- 
ing in  a  circle  they  hastily  repeated  the  Pater  Noster, 
each  one  giving  a  word  in  turn  ;  the  one  to  whom  the 
"  Amen  "  came  accepting  the  appointment  as  directly 
from  God.  With  drawn  weapons  they  gathered  at 
the  door,  which  was  opened  suddenly.  No  enemy 
appearing,  it  was  closed,  leaving  the  new  sentinel 
without. 

After  going  a  few  paces  the  guard  stumbled  over 
the  dead  body  of  the  dog,  by  the  side  of  which  a  man 
was  vainly  struggling  to  rise.  Drawing  his  dagger  he 
would  have  completed  the  work  of  the  mastiff's  fangs, 
— when  he  checked  the  impulse  by  better  judgment — 

"  No,  it's  better  to  have  him  along  with  us.  He'll 
come  handy  before  we  get  through  this  job  !  " 

So,  grasping  the  two  arms  of  the  wounded  man  in 
such  a  way  as  to  prevent  his  using  a  weapon,  if 
strength  enough  should  remain,  he  swung  the  helpless 
hulk  upon  his  back,  as  he  had  often  carried  the  car- 
cass of  a  wolf  down  the  mountain  ;  and,  giving  the 
preconcerted  signal  at  the  door,  was  instantly  re- 
admitted. 

The  wounded  man  wore  the  Turkish  uniform,  and 
was  evidently  the  officer  in  charge  of  the  raiding 
party.  This  fact  sufficiently  explained  the  delay  in 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         125 

following  up  the  attack,  for  doubtless  his  men  were 
still  waiting  for  the  order  which  he  would  never 
give. 

"  We  must  rouse  our  neighbors,"  said  the  old  man, 
who  was  recognized  as  the  commandant  of  the  dwell- 
ing, and  obeyed  as  such  with  that  reverence  for 
seniority  which  is  to  this  day  a  beautiful  characteristic 
of  the  Albanian  people. 

Constantine  held  a  hurried,  but  confidential  talk 
with  Milosch,  who  proposed  that  Constantine  and 
his  sister  should  undertake  the  hazardous  venture  of 
alarming  the  next  house.  All  remonstrated  against 
Morsinia's  venturing,  the  patriarch  refusing  to  allow 
it.  Milosch  persuaded  him  with  these  words,  which 
were  not  overheard  by  the  others — 

"  She  is  the  chief  object  of  attack  ;  this  I  have  dis- 
covered. If  she  remains  in  the  house  she  will  be  cap- 
tured. Her  only  safety  is  to  leave  it,  and  disappear 
in  the  darkness.  Once  out  there  she  can  hide  near 
by,  or  can  thread  her  way  up  among  the  crags,  where 
no  stranger's  foot  will  ever  come.  She  knows  every 
stone  and  tree  in  the  dark  as  well  as  a  mole  knows  the 
twists  and  turns  of  his  burrow." 

Morsinia  caught  at  once  the  spirit  of  the  adventure, 
and  in  her  eagerness  preceded  Constantine  to  the 
doorway.  The  thrill  of  fear  on  her  account  gave  way 
to  a  thrill  of  applause  for  her  as  she  stood  in  readi- 
ness. She  had  donned  a  helmet  of  thick  half-tanned 
hides,  and  a  corsage  of  light  iron  links,  looped  together 
and  tied  with  leathern  thongs,  about  her  person. 
Her  arms  were  left  free  for  the  use  of  the  bow  and 
stock  which  swung  from  her  shoulder,  and  the  klapti- 


126         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

gan,  or  short  dagger,  which  hung  in  the  plaits  of  her 
kilt. 

"  The  Holy  Virgin  protect  her  !  "  was  the  prayer 
which  came  from  all  sides  as  she  flung  her  arms  about 
the  neck  of  Milosch,  and  as  she  afterward  bowed  her 
head  to  receive  the  kiss  of  the  patriarch  upon  her 
forehead.  The  light  in  the  room  was  extinguished 
that  their  exit  might  not  be  noted  by  any  without 
when  the  door  should  open. 

For  a  moment  Constantine  and  Morsinia  stood  close 
to  the  door  which  had  closed  behind  them.  Their 
keen  hearing  detected  the  fact  that  the  house  was 
surrounded,  though  by  persons  stationed  at  a  distance, 
chiefly  upon  the  higher  slopes  of  the  hills.  The  road 
to  the  next  house  was  evidently  guarded. 

Constantine  insisted  upon  Morsinia's  concealing 
herself  rather  than  attempting  to  go  with  him  to  the 
neighbors  ;  but  only  after  remonstrance  with  him  did 
she  consent  to  his  plan.  Silently  crossing  the  road, 
and  without  so  much  as  breaking  a  stick  or  rustling  a 
dead  leaf  beneath  her  feet — a  dexterity  acquired  in 
approaching  the  timid  game  with  which  the  moun- 
tains abounded,  and  which  she  had  often  hunted — 
she  disappeared  in  the  dense  copse. 

Constantine  moved  cautiously  by  the  wayside,  easily 
eluding  the  notice  of  the  men  whose  dark  outlines 
were  discerned  by  him  as  they  stood  on  guard  at 
intervals  along  the  road.  He  had  nearly  approached 
the  neighboring  house  when  the  still  night  air  was  rent 
with  the  shrill  note  of  a  Turkish  bugle  call  from  the 
direction  of  the  dwelling  they  had  left. 

"  Could  it  be  that  the  captured  officer  had  recovered 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.        127 

sufficient  reason  and  strength  to  break  from  his  cap- 
tors and  give  the  signal  ?  "  thought  Constantine.  The 
call  sounded  again — it  was  evidently  from  a  distance, 
beyond  the  village.  A  score  or  more  dim  forms  at 
the  sound  gathered  in  the  road  ;  some  emerging  from 
the  bushes  near,  others  descending  from  points  high 
up  the  slopes  on  either  side — their  hurried  but 
muffled  conversation  showed  that  they  were  about 
to  make  the  appointed  dash  upon  the  doomed  dwell- 
ing. But  a  second  blare  of  trumpets  sounded  far 
down  toward  the  entrance  of  the  valley,  followed  by  a 
clanging  of  armor  and  clatter  of  horses'  feet.  Torches 
glared  far  away.  A  party  was  evidently  just  winding 
out  of  the  defile  into  the  open  space  where  the  hamlet 
stood.  Rescuers  doubtless  !  for  the  first  party  of 
raiders  scattered  to  right  and  left,  and  were  heard 
climbing  again  up  the  wooded  slopes.  Morsinia 
hastened  to  Constantine,  and  together  they  hurried  to 
meet  the  new  comers.  But  they  were  not  rescuers. 
They  attacked  the  house  with  shouts  of  "  Allah  ! 
Allah !  "  They  fired  it  with  their  torches.  Some 
poured  along  the  road  toward  the  next  house. 

They  were  genuine  Turks.  Unable  to  conquer 
Scanderbeg  in  battle,  the  great  army  had  spread 
everywhere  to  lay  waste  the  country.  In  fertile 
meadows,  along  every  stream,  wherever  a  castle  or 
chalet  was  known  to  be,  raged  the  numberless  soldiers, 
who,  beaten  in  nobler  fight,  sought  vengeance  by 
becoming  murderers  of  the  more  helpless,  and  kid- 
nappers of  women  and  children  to  fill  their  harems. 

With  flying  feet  Constantine  and  Morsinia  out- 
stripped the  riders,  alarmed  the  second  house,  and 


128         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

ran  to  the  third.  Behind  them  the  crackling  flames 
told  that  it  was  too  late  to  return.  All  who  could 
escape  gathered  at  the  great  konak.  Since  a  similar 
raid,  some  years  before,  this  building  had  been  con- 
verted into  a  rude  fortification.  The  wall  which  sur- 
rounded it,  as  an  enclosure  for  sheep  and  cattle,  had 
been  built  up  high  and  strong  enough  to  prevent  any 
approach  to  the  main  structure  by  an  anticipated  foe, 
except  as  the  sealers  of  the  wall  should  be  exposed  to 
the  missiles  of  those  within.  The  konak  proper  was 
pierced  with  loop-holes,  through  which  a  shower  of 
arrows  could  be  poured  by  unseen  archers. 

The  court  was  already  filled  with  the  fugitives, 
while  some  had  entered  the  building,  when  it  was  sur- 
rounded by  the  Turks.  Constantine  had  gained  from 
Morsinia  a  promise  to  avoid  exposure  ;  and  had 
agreed  upon  a  place  of  meeting  on  the  mountain,  in 
the  event  of  their  both  surviving  the  conflict.  But  the 
eagerness  of  Constantine  overcame  his  discretion,  and, 
heading  a  group  of  peasants  who  had  not  been  able  to 
enter  the  konak,  he  mingled  in  a  hand-to-hand  fight 
with  the  assailants.  Morsinia's  interest  led  her  to 
closely  watch  the  fray  from  the  bordering  thicket, 
changing  her  position  from  time  to  time  that  she  might 
not  lose  sight  of  the  well-known  form  of  her  foster- 
brother.  Seeing  him  endangered,  she  could  not  resist 
the  vain  impulse  to  fly  to  his  assistance  ;  as  if  her 
arms  could  stay  those  of  the  stout  troopers  who  sur- 
rounded him  ;  or  as  if  a  Turk  could  have  respect  for 
a  woman's  presence.  Scarcely  had  she  moved  from 
her  covert  when  strong  hands  seized  her,  and,  by  a 
quick  movement,  pinioned  her  arms  behind  her  back. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         129 

"  Ho  !  man,  guard  this  girl !  If  my  houri  escapes, 
your  head  shall  be  forfeit,"  cried  her  captor,  an  officer, 
to  a  common  soldier  who  was  holding  his  horse.  In  a 
moment  he  was  lost  to  sight  in  the  struggling  throng. 

The  wall  was  carried,  and,  though  many  a  turban 
had  rolled  from  the  lifeless  head  of  its  wearer,  the 
building  was  finally  fired — life  being  promised  to  the 
women  who  should  surrender.  Some  of  these,  who 
were  young,  were  thrust  from  the  door  by  their  kin- 
dred, who  preferred  for  them  the  chances  of  miserable 
existence  as  Turkish  prey,  to  seeing  them  perish  with 
themselves.  Most,  however,  fought  to  the  last  by  the 
side  of  their  husbands  and  fathers,  and  were  slain  in 
the  desperate  attempt  to  make  their  way  from  the 
flames  which  drove  them  out. 

Constantine,  by  strange  strength  and  skill,  extri- 
cated himself  from  the  melee.  A  sharp  flesh  wound 
cooled  his  blind  rage  ;  and,  realizing  that  another's 
life,  as  dear  to  him  as  his  own,  was  involved  in  his 
safety,  he  withdrew  from  the  danger,  and  sought 
Morsinia. 

Not  finding  her  during  the  night,  he  returned  in 
the  earliest  dawn  to  the  konak.  The  building  was  in 
ruins  ;  the  ground  strewn  with  dead  and  wounded. 
With  broken  hearts  the  few  who  had  escaped  were 
bewailing  their  loved  ones  killed  or  missing.  But 
there  was  no  tidings  of  Morsinia.  In  vain  the  woods 
were  searched  ;  every  old  trysting  place  sacred  to 
some  happy  memory  of  the  years  they  had  spent 
together — the  eagle's  crag,  the  cave  in  the  ravine, 
the  dense  copse.  But  only  memories  were  there. 
Imagination  supplied  the  rest — a  horrid  imagination  J 
9 


130         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

The  poor  boy  was  maddened  and  crushed  ;    at  one 
moment  a  fiend  ;  at  the  next  almost  lifeless  with  grief. 

An  examination  at  the  lower  house  discovered  the 
body  of  his  father,  Milosch.  He  had  been  killed  out- 
side the  house  ;  for  his  body,  though  terribly  gashed, 
was  not  burned,  as  were  those  found  within  the  walls 
of  the  building. 

Constantine  had,  up  to  this  time,  regarded  himself 
as  a  boy  ;  now  he  felt  that  he  was  a  man,  with  more 
of  life  in  its  desirableness  behind  than  ahead  of  him  : 
a  desperate  man,  with  but  a  single  object  to  live  for, 
vengeance  upon  the  Turk,  and  upon  those  who,  worse 
than  Turks,  of  Albanian  blood,  had  first  attempted 
Morsinia's  capture. 

Yet  there  was  another  thing  to  live  for.  Perhaps 
she  might  be  recaptured.  Improbable,  but  not  impos- 
sible !  That,  then,  should  be  his  waking  dream.  Such 
a  hope — hope  against  hope — was  all  that  could  make 
life  endurable,  except  it  were  to  dram  the  blood  of 
her  captors. 

He  was  driven  by  the  poignancy  of  his  grief  and 
the  hot  fury  of  his  rage,  to  make  this  double  object 
an  immediate  pursuit.  He  felt  that  he  could  not 
sleep  again  until  he  had  tasted  some  of  the  vengeance 
for  which  he  thirsted. 

But  how  could  he  accomplish  it  ?  He  must  lay  his 
plan,  for  it  were  worse  than  useless  to  start  single- 
handed  without  one.  He  must  plot  his  tragedy  before 
he  began  to  execute  it. 

He  sat  down  amid  the  ruins  of  the  hamlet — amid 
the  ruins  of  his  happiness  and  hopes — to  plot.  But 
he  could  devise  nothing.  His  attempts  were  like 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         131 

writing  on  the  air.  He  sat  in  half  stupor  ;  his  power 
to  think  crushed  by  the  dead  weight  of  mingled  grief 
and  the  sense  of  impotency. 

But  suddenly  he  started 

"  Fool  !  fool,  that  I  am,  to  waste  the  moments  ! 
This  very  night  it  may  be  done." 

He  hastily  stripped  the  body  of  a  dead  Turkish  sol- 
dier, and,  rolling  the  uniform  into  a  compact  bundle, 
plunged  with  it  through  the  thicket  and  up  the  steep 
mountain  side. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

'"PHE  valley  in  which  the  little  hamlet  lay,  as  well  as 
1  the  ravine  by  which  it  was  approached,  was  ex- 
ceedingly tortuous.  The  stream  which  seemed  to 
have  made  these  in  its  ceaseless  windings,  sometimes 
almost  doubled  upon  itself,  as  if  the  spirit  of  the 
waters  were  the  prey  of  the  spirit  of  the  hills  that 
closed  in  upon  its  path,  and  thus  it  sought  to  elude 
its  pursuer.  Though  it  was  fully  twenty  miles  from 
the  demolished  konak  to  where  the  narrow  valley 
debouched  into  the  open  plain,  it  was  not  more  than 
a  quarter  of  this  distance  in  a  straight  line  between 
those  points.  The  interjacent  space  was,  however, 
impassable  to  any  except  those  familiar  with  its  track- 
less rocks.  From  a  distance  the  mountain  lying 
between  seemed  a  sheer  precipice.  But  Constantine 
knew  every  crevice  up  which  a  man  could  climb  ;  the 


132         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

various  ledges  that  were  connected,  if  not  by  balcon- 
ies broad  enough  for  the  foot,  at  least  by  contiguous 
trunks  of  trees,  balustrades  of  tough  mountain  laurel, 
or  ropes  of  wild  vine.  He  could  cross  this  wall  of 
rock  in  an  hour  or  two,  but  the  Turkish  raiders  would 
occupy  the  bulk  of  the  day  in  making  the  circuit  of 
the  road.  Indeed  they  would  in  all  probability  not 
leave  the  security  of  the  great  ravine,  and  strike  the 
highway,  until  night-fall  ;  for  the  terror  of  Scander- 
beg's  ubiquity  was  always  before  the  Turks.  It  was 
this  thought  that  had  prompted  Constantine's  sudden 
action  when  he  started  up  from  his  despairing  reverie 
amid  the  embers  of  his  home. 

It  was  still  early  in  the  afternoon  when,  having 
passed  with  the  celerity  of  a  goat  among  the  crags, 
he  looked  down  from  the  further  side  of  the  great  bar- 
rier upon  the  Turkish  company.  He  stood  upon  a 
ledge  almost  above  their  heads  ;  and  never  did  an 
eagle's  eye  take  in  a  brood  upon  which  he  was  about 
to  swoop,  more  sharply  than  did  Constantine's  ob- 
serve the  details  of  the  camp  below  him. 

There  were  the  horses  tethered.  Yonder  was  a 
group  of  officers  playing  at  dice.  In  a  circle  of 
guards  beyond,  a  few  women  and  children ;  and 
among  them — could  he  mistake  that  form  ? 

The  soldiers  were  preparing  their  mess.  Some  were 
picking  the  feathers  from  fowls  ;  others  building  fires. 
Then  his  surmise  had  been  correct,  that  they  would 
not  leave  the  valley  until  night. 

Constantine  donned  the  Turkish  uniform  he  had 
brought  with  him,  and  climbed  down  the  mountain. 
Sentinels  were  posted  here  and  there  upon  bold  points 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         133 

from  which  they  might  get  a  view  of  the  great  plain 
beyond.  Toward  this  they  kept  a  constant  watch,  as 
one  of  them  remarked  to  his  comrade  upon  a  neigh- 
boring pinnacle  of  rock  :  "  Lest  some  of  Scanderbeg's 
lightning  might  be  lying  about  loose."  Posing  like  a 
sentinel  whenever  he  was  likely  to  be  observed,  Con- 
stantine  passed  through  their  lines,  the  guards  being 
too  far  apart  to  detect  one  another's  faces.  Hailed  by 
a  sentinel,  he  gave  back  the  playful  salute  with  a  wave 
of  his  hand. 

Emboldened  by  the  success  of  his  disguise,  he  de- 
scended to  a  ledge  so  near  the  group  of  officers  that 
he  could  easily  hear  their  conversation.  They  did  not 
use  the  pure  Turkish  speech,  but  sometimes  inter- 
spersed it  with  Servian,  for  many  of  the  officers,  as 
well  as  the  men,  in  the  Sultan's  armies  were  from  the 
provinces  where  the  Turkish  tongue  was  hardly 
known.  The  common  soldiers  in  this  group  Constan- 
tine  observed  used  the  Servian  altogether. 

"  Good  !  "  said  he  to  himself,  "  point  number  one  in 
my  plot." 

"  The  highest  throw  wins  the  choice  of  the  captives," 
cried  one  of  the  officers.  "  What  say  you,  Oski  ?  " 

"  Agreed,"  replied  the  one  addressed,  "  but  she  will 
never  be  your  houri  in  paradise,  Lovitsch  ?  " 

"  Why  not  ?  " 

"  Because  the  Koran  forbids  casting  lots  ?  " 

"  Well,"  replied  his  comrade.  "  I  will  take  my  beauty 
now,  in  this  world,  rather  than  wait  for  the  next.  So 
here  goes  ! " 

"  By  Khalif  Omar's  big  toe  !  You  have  won,  Oski. 
Which  will  you  take  ?  " 


134         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

"  The  little  one  with  the  bright  black  eyes,"  replied 
Oski  ;  "  unless  you  can  prevail  upon  Captain  Balla- 
ban  to  give  me  his.  The  man  who  owns  that  girl  will 
never  have  any  houris  in  paradise.  They  would  all 
die  for  jealousy." 

"  Captain  Ballaban  is  his  name,"  murmured  Con- 
stantine  to  himself.  "  Good  !  Point  number  two  in  my 
plot.  " 

"  I  would  not  have  her  for  a  gift,"  said  Lovitsch, 
"  for  she  has  a  strange  eye — the  evil  eye  perhaps — at 
least  there  is  something  in  it  I  cannot  fathom.  She 
looks  straight  through  a  man.  I  touched  her  under 
the  chin,  when  those  gentle  blue  orbs  burst  with  fire. 
There  was  as  much  of  a  change  in  her  as  there  is  in 
one  of  our  new-fashioned  cannon  when  it  is  touched 
off  ;  quiet  one  moment,  and  sending  a  bullet  through 
you  the  next.  She's  the  daughter  of  the  devil,  sure.'' 

"  You  are  a  bold  soldier,  Lovitsch,  to  be  afraid  of  a 
girl,"  laughed  his  comrade.  "  I  would  like  the  chance 
of  owning  that  beauty.  If  I  could  not  manage  her  I 
could  sell  her.  She  would  bring  a  bag  of  gold  at 
Adrianople.  Captain  Ballaban  will  probably  give  her 
as  a  present  to  Prince  Mahomet.  He  can  afford  to  do 
so,  for  the  prince  has  shown  him  wonderful  favors. 
Think  of  a  young  Janizary,  who  has  not  seen  nineteen 
summers,  with  a  captain's  rank,  and  commanding  such 
greybeards  as  we  !  " 

"  No  doubt  the  prince  favors  him,"  replied  Lovitsch, 
"  but  that  will  not  account  for  his  advance  in  the  Jani- 
zary's corps.  Nothing  but  real  grit  and  genius  gets 
ahead  among  those  fellows.  The  prince  can  give  his 
jewels  and  gold,  but  he  could  not  secure  a  Janizary's 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         135 

promotion  to  a  soldier  any  more  than  he  could  bring 
him  to  disgrace  without  the  consent  of  the  Aga.  No, 
comrade,  Ballaban  was  born  a  soldier,  and  has  won 
every  thread  in  his  captain's  badge  by  some  exploit  or 
sage  counsel.  But  I  wish  he  was  back  with  us.  I  like 
not  being  left  in  charge  of  such  a  motley  troop  as  this. 
If  Scanderbeg  should  close  up  the  mouth  of  this  ravine 
with  a  few  score  of  his  spavined  cavalry,  we  would  be 
like  so  many  eggs  in  a  bag,  to  be  smashed  together, 
without  Ballaban's  wit  to  get  us  out." 

"  I  think  the  captain  has  returned,  for,  if  I  mistake 
not,  I  saw  his  red  head  a  little  while  ago  glowing  like 
a  sunset  on  the  crag  yonder,"  replied  Oski,  looking  up 
toward  the  spot  where 'Constantine  was  sitting. 

"  Good  !  said  Constantine,  holding  his  council 

of  war  with  his  own  thoughts.  "  The  captain  looks 
like  me  before  sunset.  Perhaps  I  can  look  like  him 
after  sunset.  One  advantage  of  having  a  head  tiled 
in  red  !  But  I  will  not  show  it  again.  Point  number 
three  in  my  plot." 

"  Quite  likely  the  captain  has  returned,  and  is 
prowling  about,  inspecting  everything,  from  the 
horses'-tails  to  our  very  faces,  that  he  may  read  our 
thoughts.  That  is  his  way,"  said  Lovitsch,  glancing 
around. 

"  Which  way  did  he  go  ?  " 

"  You  might  as  well  ask  which  track  the  Prophet's 
horse  took  through  the  air  when  he  carried  his  rider 
on  the  night  journey  to  heaven.  A  messenger  from  the 
chief  Aga  met  him  just  as  we  were  finishing  the  fight 
last  night,  and,  with  a  word  turning  over  the  com- 
mand to  me,  he  mounted  his  horse  and  was  off. 


I36         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

Perhaps  he  heads  some  other  raid  to-night  ;  or,  for 
aught  I  know,  may  be  conferring  with  Scanderbeg  in 
the  disguise  of  a  Frankish  general ;  for  that  Ballaban's 
brain  is  as  prolific  of  schemes  and  tricks  as  this  ant's 
nest  is  full  of  eggs  " — turning  over  a  stone  as  he 
spoke. 

The  afternoon  waned,  and,  as  the  night  fell,  prep- 
arations were  made  for  the  march.  When  it  was 
dark  a  light  bugle  note  called  in  the  sentinels,  and  the 
company  moved  forward. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

IN  the  gathering  gloom  Constantine  approached  the 
extreme  edge  of  the  camp,  where  those  who  were 
to  bring  up  the  rear  had  just  mounted.  A  soldier, 
somewhat  separated  from  the  others,  was  leading 
several  horses  ;  either  a  relay  in  case  of  accident  to 
the  others,  or  those  animals  whose  saddles  had  been 
emptied  during  the  fight  at  the  konak.  Constantine's 
appearance  was  evidently  a  surprise  to  the  soldier,  who 
eyed  him  closely,  but  made  no  movement  indicating 
suspicion  beyond  that  of  a  rather  pleased  curiosity. 
The  man  made  a  low  salam,  bowing  his  turban  to  the 
saddle  bow,  and  addressed  him — 

"  Will  you  not  mount,  Sire  ? "  Without  responding 
Constantine  leaped  into  a  saddle. 

"  You    will   pardon   me,   Captain,"    continued   the 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          13? 

soldier.  "  You  are  welcome  back,  for  we  are  in  better 
heart  when  you  are  with  us." 

"  Thanks,  good  fellow,"  said  Constantine,  "  but  I 
have  not  returned  yet — at  least  my  return  must  not  be 
known  to  the  troops  until  the  morning.  We  will  take 
your  tongue  out  if  you  tell  any  one  I  am  back 
without  bidding." 

The  man  gave  a  quick  glance  as  if  perplexed. 
Constantine's  hand  was  upon  his.  dagger.  But  the 
soldier's  doubt  was  relieved  as  he  seemed  to  be  con- 
fident of  the  familiar  form  of  his  captain  ;  and  he 
explained  his  apparent  suspicion  by  quickly  adding — 

"  You  speak  the  Servian  excellent  well,  Captain." 

"  One  must  get  used  to  it,  and  every  other  tongue, 
in  commanding  such  a  mixed  crew  as  the  Sultan 
gathers  into  his  army,"  said  Constantine. 

"  You  Janizaries  are  wonderful  men,"  replied  the 
soldier.  "  You  know  all  languages.  There  was  the 
little  Aga  I  once  " — 

"  No  matter  about  that  now,"  said  Constantine, 
interrupting  him.  "  I  want  you  for  a  special  duty. 
Can  I  trust  you  to  do  me  an  errand  ?  If  you  do  it 
well  you  will  be  glad  of  it  hereafter." 

"  Ay,  ay,  Sire  !  with  my  life ;  and  my  lips  as 
mute  as  the  horse's." 

"  I  captured  a  girl  last  night.  She  knows  something 
I  would  find  out  by  close  questioning.  I  must  have 
her  brought  to  the  rear." 

"  Ay  !  the  girl  Koremi  holds  ? " 

"  Yes,  tell  Koremi  to  loiter  a  little  with  her  until 
I  come  up.  We  must  not  go  far  from  this  defile  before 
I  find  out  what  she  knows,  if  I  have  to  discover  it 


I38          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

with  my  dagger  in  her  heart ;  for  there  are  traitors 
among  us.  Last  night  there  were  Arnaouts  dressed 
as  Moslems  in  the  fight." 

"  That  I  know,"  said  the  soldier,  "  for  I  tripped 
over  a  fellow  myself,  hiding  in  the  bushes,  who  swore 
at  me  in  as  good  round  Arnaout  tongue  as  they  speak 
in  hell.  I  ran  him  through  and  found  a  Giaour  cor- 
slet under  his  jacket.  If  there  are  traitors  among  us 
we  will  broil  them  pver  our  first  camp-fire,  that  they 
may  scent  hell  before  they  get  there." 

"  You  see  then  why  I  must  find  out  what  I  can  at 
once,"  said  the  assumed  captain.  "  Some  of  our  men 
are  in  league  with  the  Arnaouts.  I  can  find  out  from 
that  girl  every  one  of  them.  Impress  this  upon 
Koremi ;  and  if  he  hesitates  to  let  the  girl  drift  to  the 
rear,  you  can  tell  him  that  he  will  be  suspected  of 
being  in  league  with  the  rascals." 

Constantine  took  the  ropes  which  held  the  horses 
the  man  was  leading  ;  and,  bidding  him  to  haste,  but 
be  cautious  that  no  one  but  Koremi  should  know  the 
message,  followed  slowly  behind. 

It  was  nearly  an  hour  later  when  the  form  of  the 
soldier  appeared  in  the  road  just  before  him. 

"  Right  !  "  said  Constantine. 

"  Right !  "  was  the  response,  first  to  the  assumed 
captain,  then  repeated  to  some  one  behind  him.  Two 
other  forms  appeared  ;  one  of  them  a  woman. 

Anticipating  his  orders,  the  second  trooper  untied 
a  rope  from  about  his  own  waist,  and  handed  it, 
together  with  the  rein  of  the  horse  the  woman  rode,  to 
Constantine.  Then,  making  a  low  obeisance,  the  two 
troopers  withdrew  a  little  distance  to  the  rear. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.        139 

The  other  end  of  the  rope  which  Constantine  held 
was  about  the  waist  of  the  captive.  Drawing  the  led 
horse  close  to  his  own,  and  dropping  his  turban  more 
over  his  face,  Constantine  closely  scrutinized  the 
features  of  the  woman.  She  was  Morsinia.  It  was 
difficult  for  him  to  repress  the  excitement  and  delay 
the  revelation  of  his  true  person,  but  the  hazard  of  the 
least  cry  of  surprise  or  recognition  on  her  part  nerved 
him  to  coolness. 

"  Where  are  you  taking  me  ?  If  you  have  the  cour- 
age, kill  me,"  said  the  girl. 

Constantine  replied  only  by  whistling  a  snatch  of 
an  Albanian  air. 

"  Are  you  an  Albanian  renegade  ?  "  continued  the 
girl.  "  Could  you  not  be  content  to  sell  yourself  to 
fight  for  the  Turk  against  other  enemies,  but  must  be 
a  double  traitor,  and  kill  and  kidnap  your  own 
kind  ?  " 

The  whistling  continued.  But  as  the  soldiers  were 
a  little  removed,  he  said  in  a  low  voice,  disguising  his 
natural  tones  : 

"  I  am  an  Albanian,  and  if  you  will  not  speak,  but 
only  obey,  I  can  save  you." 

"  Jesu  grant  you  are  true  !  "  was  the  tremulous 
response. 

"  This  will  prove  it,"  muttered  he,  reaching  toward 
her,  and  with  his  knife  cutting  a  broad  strap  which 
bound  her  limbs  to  the  saddle.  "  If  tied  elsewhere, 
here  is  the  knife." 

The  way,  which  had  been  narrowed  by  the  pro- 
jection of  the  mountains  on  either  side,  now  widened 
a  little.  Constantine  knew  the  spot  well.  There  had 


140         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

once  been  a  mill  and  peasant's  hut  there,  and  now 
quite  a  plat  of  grass  was  growing  from  the  soft  soil. 
The  eye  could  not  discern  it,  for  the  darkness  was 
rayless.  But  Constantine  remembered  the  grassy 
stretch  was  just  round  the  point  of  rock  they  were 
passing.  The  horses  were  walking  slowly,  being 
allowed  by  their  riders  to  pick  their  way  along  the 
stony  road.  As  they  turned  the  rock  a  strong  wind 
rushed  through  the  ravine,  wailing  a  requiem  over  the 
now  deserted  settlement  and  the  dead  leaves  of  last 
year,  which  it  whirled  in  eddies  ;  and  singing  a  lullaby 
through  the  trees  to  the  new-born  leaves  of  the  spring 
time,  which  were  rocked  on  the  cradling  branches. 
This,  together  with  the  clatter  of  the  horses'  feet  before 
and  behind  them,  enabled  Constantine  to  draw  the 
captive's  horse  and  his  own  upon  the  soft  turf  without 
being  heard.  Halting  them  at  a  few  yards'  distance, 
they  allowed  the  men  who  had  followed  them  to  pass 
by,  and  sat  in  silence  until  the  lessening  sound  told 
them  that  the  soldiers  had  made  another  turn  in  the 
road.  Then,  wheeling  the  horses,  Constantine  gave 
loose  rein  back  over  the  track  they  had  come.  After 
a  short  ride  he  dismounted,  and  closely  examining  the 
way,  led  the  horses  to  one  side,  up  a  path,  and  down 
again  to  a  little  plateau,  perhaps  a  furlong  from  the 
main  road,  where  a  grazing  patch  would  keep  them 
from  being  betrayed  by  the  neighing.  He  dreaded 
the  fatigue  of  further  journey  to  his  comrade  ;  for 
even  his  own  ordinarily  tireless  frame  was  beginning 
to  feel  the  drain  of  the  terrible  night  and  day  they 
had  passed  through. 

Constantine  threw  off  his  turban  and  stretched  his 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         141 

strong  arms  to  lift  the  captive  from  her  horse,  exclaim- 
ing with  delight  in  his  own  familiar  tones, — 

"  I  am  no  Albanian,  dear  Morsinia,  but — " 

"  Constantine  !  "  she  cried. 

He  laid  an  almost  lifeless  form  upon  the  turf,  for 
the  shock  of  the  revelation  had  been  too  much  for  her 
jaded  nerves  and  excited  brain.  Unrolling  the  cloth 
of  his  turban  he  spread  it  over  her  person,  while  his 
own  breast  was  her  pillow.  Slowly  she  recovered 
strength  and  self-command. 

In  a  few  words  the  mutual  stories  of  the  hours  of 
their  separation  were  told.  Morsinia  had  been  treated 
with  exceeding  kindness  and  respect,  as  the  captive  of 
the  chief  officer  of  the  expedition,  who  seemed  to  be 
a  person  of  some  distinction,  though  she  had  not  seen 
him.  Constantine  insisted  upon  his  companion's  seek- 
ing sleep,  but  by  his  inquiries,  did  as  much  as  her  own 
thoughts  to  keep  her  awake  ;  so  that  at  the  dawn  they 
confessed  that  the  eyes  of  neither  had  been  closed. 
The  necessity  of  procuring  food  led  them  to  start  at 
daybreak  for  the  nearest  settlement.  They  descended 
to  the  road  and  retraced  the  course  of  the  preceding 
night ;  for  it  was  useless  to  return  to  the  wrecked 
hamlet.  They  had  gone  but  a  short  distance  when 
they  heard  the  sound  of  a  body  of  cavalry  directly  in 
front  of  them,  riding  rapidly  up  the  valley.  There 
was  no  time  to  avoid  the  approaching  riders  either  by 
flight  or  concealment.  Constantine  said  hastily, 

"  Remember,  if  they  are  Turks,  I  too  am  a  Turk, 
and  you  are  my  captive.  If  they  are  friends,  all  is 
well.  Stay  where  you  are,  and  I  will  ride  forward  to 
meet  them." 


142          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

THE  newcomers  proved  to  be  a  detachment  of 
Albanians.  Constantine  was  instantly  captured 
notwithstanding  his  declaration  that  his  dress  was 
only  assumed. 

"  Aha !  you  are  a  Christian  now  in  a  Turk's  skin, 
are  you  ?  But  yesterday  you  were  a  Turk  in  a  Chris- 
tian's feathers,"  was  the  taunt  with  which  he  was 
greeted  by  one  of  the  foremost  riders,  who  continued 
his  bantering.  "  Your  face  is  honest,  if  your  heart  is 
not,  you  Moslem  devil ;  for  your  ugly  features  will  not 
lie  though  your  tongue  does.  I  would  know  that 
square  jaw  and  red  head  equally  well  now,  were  it 
under  the  tiara  of  the  pope  instead  of  under  the  tur- 
ban ;  and  I  would  cut  your  throat  if  you  carried  St. 
Peter's  key  in  your  girdle ;  you  change-skinned 
lizard  !  " 

"  Who  is  he  ? "  cried  the  horsemen,  gathering 
about. 

"  Why  !  the  very  knave  who  escaped  us  about  sun- 
down yesterday,  after  spying  our  camp  ;  and  he  has 
the  impudence  to  ask  us  to  take  him  prisoner  that  he 
may  spy  us  again." 

"  Let  us  hamstring  him  !  "  cried  another,  "  and, 
unless  St.  Christopher  has  turned  Moslem  in  para- 
dise and  helps  the  rascal,  he  will  find  no  legs  to  run 
away  with  again." 

"  Set  him  up  for  a  mark  when  we  halt,"  proposed  a 
third.  "  A  ducat  to  him  whose  arrow  can  split  his  ear 
without  tearing  the  cheek  at  forty  paces  !  " 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          143 

Constantine  was  helpless  as  they  adjusted  a  halter 
about  his  neck,  with  which  to  lead  him  at  the  side  of 
a  horseman,  the  butt  of  the  scurrilous  wit  and  sharper 
spear-points  of  his  half  mad  and  half  merry  captors. 

They  had  gone  but  a  few  paces  when  the  colonel 
commanding  the  detachment  made  his  way  through 
the  troopers  to  the  front.  He  was  a  venerable  man 
with  long  flowing  white  beard.  His  bodily  strength 
seemed  to  come  solely  from  the  vitality  of 
nerve  and  the  dominance  of  his  spirit ;  for  he  was  well 
worn  with  years. 

"What  is  this  noise  about  ?"  he  asked  sternly. 

Before  any  could  reply  he  stared  with  a  moment's 
incredulity  and  wonder  at  Constantine,  who  relieved  his 
doubts  by  recognizing  him. 

"  Colonel  Kabilovitsch  !  "  cried  he,  doffing  his  tur- 
ban as  if  it  had  been  a  Christian  cap.*  "  Your  men  are 
playful  fellows,  as  frolicksome  as  a  cat  with  a  mole." 

"  But  why  are  you  here,  my  boy  ?  and  why  this 
disguise  ? "  interrupted  Kabilovitsch. 

The  explanation  was  given  in  a  few  words  ; — on 
the  one  side  the  story  of  the  slaughter  at  the  village, 
and  the  adventures  of  Morsinia  and  Constantine  ;  on 
the  other  of  how  the  news  of  the  Turkish  raid  reached 
the  camp  at  Sfetigrade  about  noon,  and  the  rescuing 
party  had  started  at  once  under  Kabilovitsch's  com- 
mand, and  ridden  at  breakneck  speed  during  the 
entire  night  in  the  hope  of  meeting  the  Turks  before 
they  emerged  from  the  narrow  valley. 

Learning  now  that  they  were  too  late  for  this, 
Kabilovitsch  halted  his  command,  and  with  Constan- 
*  Moslems  do  not  remove  the  hat  in  making  salutation. 


144          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

tine  sought  the  place  where  Morsinia  was  in  waiting. 
When  the  old  man  heard  that  the  first  assailants  of  the 
hamlet  had  been  Albanians  in  disguise  his  rage  was 
furious  ;  and  through  his  incautious  words  Morsinia 
learned  more  of  her  relation  to  the  voivode  Amesa 
than  her  reputed  father  had  ever  told  her  ;  for  the 
mystery  of  her  family  had  never  been  fully  explained  in 
her  hearing.  It  had  heretofore  been  deemed  best  that 
the  girl  should  not  be  made  the  custodian  of  her  own 
secret,  lest  her  childish  prattle  might  reveal  it  to 
others.  Yet  she  had  guessed  the  greater  part  of  the 
problem  of  her  identity.  But  Kabilovitsch  was  now 
led  by  the  new  curiosity  which  his  inadvertent  expres- 
sions had  awakened  in  her,  as  well  as  by  the  remark- 
ably discreet  and  cautious  judgment  she  had  displayed, 
to  tell  her  the  entire  story  of  her  own  life.  This  was 
not,  however,  until  orders  had  been  passed  through 
the  troop  for  rest,  and  the  fires  hastily  kindled  along 
the  roadside  had  prepared  their  refreshing  breakfasts. 

Removed  from  the  hearing  of  all  others,  Kabilo- 
vitsch rehearsed  to  Morsinia  and  Constantine  what 
the  reader  already  knows  of  her  extraction  and  early 
residence  in  Albania.  He  advised  her  to  extreme 
caution  against  the  slightest  reference  to  herself  as 
the  young  Mara  de  Streeses,  and  that  she  should 
insist  upon  her  identity  as  the  daughter  of  the  Servian 
peasant  Milosch  and  the  sister  of  Constantine. 

Morsinia  buried  her  fair  face  in  the  gray  beard  of 
the  old  man,  as  years  ago  she  had  done  when  they 
sat  upon  the  door-stone  of  their  Balkan  home,  and 
sobbed  as  if  his  words  had  orphaned  her.  In  a  few 
moments  she  looked  up  into  his  fine  but  wrinkled 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          145 

face,  and  drawing  it  down  to  hers,  kissed  him  as  she 
used  to  do,  and  said  lovingly, 

"  I  must  believe  your  words ;  but  my  heart  holds 
you  as  my  father  :  for  father  you  have  been  to  me, 
and  child  I  shall  be  to  you  so  long  as  God  gives  us  to 
one  another." 

The  old  man  pressed  her  temples  between  his 
rough  hands,  and  looked  long  into  her  deep  blue  eyes, 
as  he  said  slowly, 

"  Ay,  father  and  mother  both  was  I  to  thee,  my 
child,  from  that  terrible  night,  sixteen  years  ago.  My 
rough  arms  have  often  cradled  thee.  But  now  you 
have  a  nobler  and  stronger  protector  in  our  country's 
father,  the  great  Castriot.  To  him  you  must  go ;  for 
it  is  no  longer  safe  in  these  lonely  valleys.  Under  his 
strong  arm  and  all-watchful  eye  you  will  be  amply  pro- 
tected. There  are  nameless  enemies  of  the  old  house 
of  De  Streeses  whom  we  must  avoid  as  vigilantly  as 
we  avoid  the  Turks." 

It  was  determined  that  Constantine  should  make  a 
detour  with  her,  and  approach  Sfetigrade  from  the 
south,  giving  out  that  they  were  fugitives  from  the 
lower  country,  which  the  enemy  had  also  been 
raiding. 

The  colonel  stated  to  his  under  officers,  in  hearing 
of  the  men,  that  the  young  Turk  was  really  one  of 
Castriot's  scouts,  and  that  the  young  woman  was  an 
accomplice.  Borrowing  from  one  and  another  suffi- 
cient Albanian  costumes  to  substitute  for  Constantine's 
disguise,  Kabilovitsch  dismissed  the  couple. 

There  was  no  end  to  the  badgering  the  officious 
soldier  who  had  first  arrested  the  scout  received  at  the 
10 


I46        THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

hands  of  his  comrades.  They  jeered  at  his  double 
mistake  in  taking  the  fellow  yesterday  as  a  Turkish  spy 
in  Albanian  uniform,  because  he  had  slipped  away  so 
shrewdly,  and  now  again  being  duped  by  him  a  real 
Albanian  in  Turkish  disguise.  Some  threw  the  halter 
over  the  fellow's  neck;  others  made  mimic  prepara- 
tion for  hamstringing  him  ;  while  one  presented  him 
with  an  immense  scroll  of  bark  purporting  to  be  his 
commission  as  chief  of  the  department  of  secret  ser- 
vice, finishing  the  mock  presentation  by  shivering  the 
bark  over  the  fellow's  head.  The  unhappy  man  con- 
tented himself  philosophically : — 

"  No  wonder  General  Castriot  baffles  the  enemy 
when  his  own  men  cannot  understand  him.  You  were 
all  as  badly  twisted  by  that  fellow's  tricks  as  I  was.  But 
I  will  never  interfere  with  that  red  head  again,  though 
he  wears  a  turban  and  is  cutting  the  throat  of  the 
general  himself." 

Two  days  later  a  beautiful  girl  accompanied  by  her 
brother — who  was  as  unlike  her  as  the  thorn  bush  is 
unlike  the  graceful  flowering  clematis  that  festoons  its 
limbs,  both  of  them  in  apparent  destitution,  refugees 
from  near  the  Greek  border — entered  the  town  of 
Sfetigrade.  By  order  of  the  general,  to  whom  their 
piteous  story  was  told  by  Kabilovitsch — for  he  had 
chanced,  so  he  said,  to  come  upon  them  as  they  were 
inquiring  their  way  to  the  town — they  were  quartered 
with  a  family  whose  house  was  not  far  from  the  citadel. 
For  some  weeks  the  girl  was  an  invalid.  A  raging 
fever  had  been  induced  by  over  excitement  and  the 
subsequent  fatigue  of  the  long  journey.  Colonel 
Kabilovitsch  could  not  refrain  from  expressing  his 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         147 

interest  in  the  young  woman  by  almost  daily  calls  at 
the  cottage  where  she  lay.  One  day,  when  it  was 
supposed  by  the  surgeon  that  she  might  not  live,  the 
old  man  was  observed  to  stand  long  at  the  cot  upon 
which  the  sick  girl  was  lying.  A  look  of  agony  over- 
spread his  features  when  the  surgeon,  who  had  been 
feeling  her  pulse,  laid  her  almost  nerveless  hand 
beneath  the  blanket. 

"  Dear,  good  old  man,"  said  the  housewife.  "  I 
warrant  he  has  laid  some  pretty  one  of  his  own  in  the 
ground.  Maybe  a  child,  or  a  lover,  sometime  back  in 
the  years.  These  things  do  come  to  us  over  and  over 
again." 

The  brother  of  the  sick  girl  scarcely  noticed  the 
visits  of  Colonel  Kabilovitsch,  except  to  respond  to 
his  questions  when  no  one  but  himself  could  give  the 
exact  information  about  the  patient's  condition  ;  for 
none  watched  with  her  so  incessantly. 

But  her  marvellous  natural  vitality  enabled  the 
sufferer  to  outlive  the  fever  ;  and,  as  she  became  con- 
valescent, the  old  colonel  seemed  to  forget  her.  His 
interest  was  apparently  in  her  suffering  rather  than  in 
herself. 


148  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

THE  battlements  of  Sfetigrade  lay,  like  a  ruffled 
collar,  upon  enormous  shoulders  of  rock  rising 
high  above  the  surrounding  country.  Over  them  rose, 
like  a  massive  head,  the  citadel  with  its  bartizans  pro- 
jecting as  a  crown  about  the  brow.  The  rock  upon 
which  the  fortification  stood  was  scarped  toward  the 
valley,  so  that  it  could  be  climbed  only  with  the  help 
of  ladders,  even  though  the  assailants  were  unresisted 
by  its  defenders.  The  few  spots  which  nature  had 
left  unguarded  were  now  choked  with  abattis,  or 
overlooked  by  bastions  so  skilfully  constructed  as  to 
need  far  less  courage  and  strength  for  their  defence 
than  were  possessed  by  the  bands  of  Dibrian  and 
Epirot  patriots  who  fought  from  behind  them. 

The  assaults  which  Sultan  Amurath  launched 
against  the  place  had  been  as  frequent  as  the  early 
summer  showers,  and  his  armies  were  beaten  to  pieces 
as  the  rain  rebounded  in  spray  and  ran  in  streams 
from  the  rocks.  The  chagrin  of  the  baffled  Sultan 
reflected  itself  in  the  discouragement  of  his  generals 
and  the  demoralization  of  their  men.  The  presence  of 
his  majesty  could  not  silence  the  mutual  recrimina- 
tions, the  loud  and  rancorous  strife  with  which  brave 
officers  sought  to  lay  upon  one  another  the  responsi- 
bility for  their  defeat,  rather  than  confess  that  the 
daily  disasters  were  due  to  the  superior  genius  com- 
manding among  their  foes.  Especially  was  the  envy 
of  the  leaders  of  the  other  corps  and  branches  of  the 
service  excited  against  the  Janizaries,  to  whose  unri- 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         149 

vailed  training  and  daring  were  due  whatever  minor 
victories  had  been  won,  and  whatever  exploits  worthy 
of  mention  had  been  performed. 

A  lofty  tent,  whose  projecting  centre-pole  bore  the 
glittering  brass  crescent  and  star,  and  before  the 
entrance  to  which  a  single  horse-tail  hung  from  the 
long  spear,  denoted  the  headquarters  of  a  Sanjak  Bey. 
In  front  of  the  tent  walked  two  men  in  eager,  and  not 
altogether  amiable,  conversation.  The  one  was  the 
Bey,  whose  huge  turban  of  white,  inwound  with  green, 
indicated  that  his  martial  zeal  was  supplemented  by 
equal  enthusiasm  for  his  faith  ;  and  that  he  had  added 
to  the  fatigue  of  many  campaigns  against  the  infidels 
the  toil  of  a  more  monotonous,  though  more  satisfac- 
tory, pilgrimage  to  Mecca.  His  companion  was  an 
Aga  of  the  Janizaries,  second  only  in  rank  to  the  chief 
Aga. 

The  latter  was  speaking  with  a  wrath  which  his 
courteous  words  but  ill  concealed — 

"  I  do  not  impugn  your  honor  or  the  sincerity  of 
your  motives,  Caraza-Bey,  in  making  your  accusation 
against  our  Captain  Ballaban;  but  the  well-known 
jealousy  which  is  everywhere  manifested  against  our 
corps  compels  me  to  believe  not  a  single  word  to  the 
discredit  of  him  or  any  of  the  Yeni-Tscheri  without  in- 
dubitable proof.  I  would  allow  the  word  of  Captain 
Ballaban — knowing  him  so  well  as  I  do — to  outweigh 
the  oaths  on  the  Koran  of  a  score  of  those  who,  like 
yourself,  have  reason  to  be  jealous  of  his  superior 
courage." 

"  But  your  upstart  captain's  guilt  can  be  proved,  if 
not  to  your  personal  satisfaction,  at  least  before  those 


15°  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

who  will  not  care  to  ask  your  assent  to  their  judg- 
ment," replied  the  other,  not  attempting  to  veil  his 
hatred  of  the  Aga,  any  more  than  his  purpose  of 
crushing  the  one  of  whom  they  were  speaking. 

"  What  will  the  lies  of  a  whole  sanjak  of  your  hire- 
lings avail  against  the  honor  of  a  Janizary  ?  "  replied 
the  Aga.  "  If  two  horse-tails*  hung  from  the  standard 
yonder,  I  would  not  publicly  disgrace  Captain  Balla- 
ban  by  so  much  as  ordering  an  inquiry  at  your 
demand.  The  Janizaries  will  take  no  suggestion  from 
any  but  the  Padishah." 

"  A  curse  on  the  brag  of  the  Janizaries  !  The  arro- 
gancy  of  the  Christian  renegades  needs  better  warrant 
than  Ballaban  can  give  it,"  sneered  the  Bey.  "  If  you 
like,  let  the  matter  rest  as  it  is.  The  whole  army 
believes  that  one  of  your  dervish-capped  heroes — the 
best  of  the  brood,  I  imagine — deserted  his  comrades 
in  battle,  and  all  for  the  sake  of  a  captive  girl." 

"  It  is  a  lie  !  "  shouted  the  Aga,  drawing  his  sword 
upon  him. 

The  attitude  of  the  two  officers  drew  a  crowd,  who 
rushed  from  all  sides  to  witness  the  duel.  Both  were 
masters  of  sword  play,  so  that  neither  obtained  any 
sanguinary  advantage  before  they  were  separated  by 
the  arrival  of  the  chief  Aga,  who  forbade  his  subaltern 
to  continue  the  conflict.  Upon  hearing  the  occasion 
of  the  affray,  the  chief  said  : 

"  The  trial  of  Captain  Ballaban  shall  be  had,  with 
the  publication  of  the  fact  that  Caraza-Bey  has 
assumed  the  position  of  his  accuser  ;  and,  in  the  event 

*  Two  horse-tails  ;  the  symbol  of  a  Beyler  Bey,  a  chief  bey  of 
Europe  or  Asia. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          151 

of  his  charge  proving  false,  he  shall  atone  for  his 
malice  by  submitting  to  any  punishment  the  captain 
may  indicate  ;  and  the  force  of  the  Janizaries  shall 
execute  it,  though  they  cut  the  throats  of  his  entire 
command  in  order  to  do  it.  We  must  first  vindicate 
the  honor  of  the  corps,  and  then  take  vengeance  upon 
its  detractors.  I  demand  that  Caraza-Bey  make  good 
his  charge  to-morrow  at  the  sixth  hour,  or  accept  the 
judgment  of  coward  and  vilifier,  which  our  court  shall 
then  proclaim  to  the  army." 

At  the  appointed  time  on  the  day  following,  the  tent 
of  the  chief  Aga  was  the  gathering  place  of  the  nota- 
ble officers  of  the  corps.  Without,  it  differed  from 
hundreds  of  other  tents  only  in  its  size,  and  in  the 
pennant  indicating  the  rank  of  its  occupant.  Within, 
it  was  lined  with  a  canopy  of  finest  silk  and  woollen 
tapestries,  on  the  blue  background  of  which  crescents 
and  stars,  cimeters  and  lance-heads,  battle-axes, 
shields,  turbans  and  dervish  caps  were  artistically 
grouped  with  texts  from  the  Koran,  and  skilfully 
wrought  in  braids  and  threads  of  gold.  The  canvas 
sides  of  the  tent  were  now  removed,  making  it  an  open 
pavilion,  and  inviting  inspection  and  audience  from 
any  who  desired  to  approach.  A  divan  was  at  one 
side,  and  made  a  semicircle  of  about  half  the  tent. 
Upon  this  sat  the  chief  Aga,  his  cushion  slightly  raised 
above  those  at  his  side,  which  were  occupied  by  the 
agas  of  lower  rank.  A  group  of  officers  filled  the 
space  beneath  the  tent ;  and  soldiers  of  all  grades 
made  a  dense  crowd  for  several  rods  beyond  into  the 
open  air. 

The  chief  Aga  waved  his  hand  to  an  attendant,  and 


152        THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

the  military  court  was  formally  opened.  Several  cases 
were  disposed  of  before  that  of  Captain  Ballaban  was 
called. 

There  was  led  in  a  stalwart  soldier  of  middle  age. 
Two  witnesses  deposed  that,  in  a  recent  assault  upon 
the  enemy's  works  at  Sfetigrade,  when  there  was 
poured  upon  the  assailants  a  shower  of  arrows  and 
stones  from  the  battlements  above,  this  man,  without 
orders  from  his  officer,  had  cried,  "  Give  way  !  Give 
way  !  "  and  that  to  this  cry  and  his  example  were  due 
the  confusion  of  ranks  and  the  retreat  which  followed- 

The  chief  Aga  turned  and  looked  silently  upon  the 
man,  awaiting  his  reply  to  the  accusation.  The 
accused  was  speechless.  The  chief  then  turned  to 
the  Aga  to  whose  division  the  culprit  belonged,  that  he 
might  hear  any  plea  that  he  should  be  pleased  to  offer 
for  the  soldier  ;  but  the  Aga's  face  was  stolid  with 
indifference.  The  chief,  without  raising  his  head,  sat 
in  silence  for  a  moment,  as  in  solemn  act  of  weighing 
the  case.  He  then  muttered  an  invocation  of  Allah 
as  the  Supreme  Judge.  He  paused.  A  gleam  of 
light  circled  above  the  man  ;  a  hissing  sound  of  the 
cimeter  and  a  thud  were  heard.  The  culprit's  head 
rolled  to  the  ground.  His  trunk  swayed  for  an  instant 
and  fell. 

This  scene  was  apparently  of  little  interest  to  the 
spectators.  A  second  case  only  tested  their  patience. 
One  was  charged  with  having  failed  to  deliver  an  order 
from  the  colonel  of  his  orta,  or  regiment,  to  a  captain 
of  one  of  the  odas,  or  companies.  Both  these  officers 
testified,  the  one  to  having  sent  the  order,  the  other 
to  not  having  received  it,  and  on  this  account  to 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          153 

have  failed  to  occupy  a  certain  position  with  his 
men  in  a  recent  engagement  with  the  enemy.  The 
culprit  alleged  that  it  was  impossible  to  deliver  the 
order  because  of  the  enemy's  movements  at  the  time. 
The  Aga  of  the  division,  being  appealed  to  by  the  silent 
gaze  of  the  judge,  simply  said  : 

"  The  man  is  brave  ; "  when,  by  a  motion  of  the 
hand,  the  judge  dismissed  the  soldier  together  with 
the  case. 

The  expectation  not  only  of  common  soldiers,  but 
also  of  officials,  led  them  to  crane  their  necks  to  look 
at  the  next  comer.  Even  the  ordinarily  immobile 
features  of  the  chief  relaxed  into  an  expression  of 
anxiety  as  a  young  man  walked  down  the  aisle  made 
by  the  reverent  receding  of  the  crowd  to  either  side. 
He  was  not  graceful  in  form.  His  body  was  beyond 
the  proportion  of  his  legs  ;  though  his  arms  compen- 
sated for  any  lack  in  the  length  of  his  lower  limbs. 
His  neck  was  thick,  the  head  round,  with  full  devel- 
opment of  forehead,  though  that  portion  of  his 
face  was  somewhat  concealed  by  the  short,  bushy 
masses  of  red  hair  which  protruded  beneath  his  rimless 
Janizary  cap.  His  face  was  homely,  but  strongly 
marked,  evincing  force  of  character  as  clearly  as  the 
convolutions  of  his  muscles  evinced  animal  strength 
and  endurance.  The  brightness  of  his  eye  atoned  for 
any  lack  of  beauty  in  his  features ;  as  did  his  free  and 
manly  bearing  make  ample  amends  for  deficiency  in 
grace  of  form.  Altogether  he  was  a  man  to  attract 
one's  attention  and  hold  it  pleasantly. 

Though  he  bent  low  to  the  earth  in  his  obeisance 
to  the  chief  officer  of  his  troop,  it  was  without  the  sug- 


1 54  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

gestion  of  obsequiousness,  with  that  dignity  which  be- 
tokens real  reverence  and  crowns  itself  with  the  honor 
it  would  give  to  another. 

The  chief  Aga  announced  that,  although  the  wit- 
nesses in  this  case  were  not  of  the  order  of  the  Yeni- 
Tscheri,  and,  therefore,  had  no  claim  to  the  considera- 
tion of  the  court,  yet  it  pleased  him  in  this  peculiar  case 
to  waive  the  right  to  try  the  matter  exclusively  among 
themselves,  that  the  good  name  of  the  Yeni-Tscheri 
might  suffer  no  reproach.  "  Caraza-Bey,"  added  the 
chief,  "  for  some  reason  best  known  to  himself  does 
not  accept  the  privilege  we  have  extended  him,  to 
speak  in  our  official  presence  what  he  has  freely  spoken 
elsewhere.  We  shall,  therefore,  hear  any  witnesses  he 
may  have  sent.  " 

One  Lovitsch,  belonging  to  the  irregular  auxiliary 
troops,  testified  that  Captain  Ballaban  had  organized 
a  raid  upon  an  Albanian  village,  and  engaged  himself 
and  company  for  the  venture  ;  but  had  left  them  in 
the  heat  of  the  fight,  not  rejoining  them  until  the  sec- 
ond day.  A  common  soldier  deposed  that  the  captain 
returned  to  the  company  early  in  the  second  evening, 
and  induced  him,  the  witness,  and  Koremi,  to  whom 
the  captain  had  entrusted  a  beautifnl  captive,  to  bring 
the  girl  to  the  rear,  under  plea  of  getting  from  her  in- 
formation regarding  the  enemy  ;  and  had  then  myster- 
iously disappeared  with  her.  Koremi  corroborated 
this  testimony. 

Captain  Ballaban  gave  a  look  of  puzzled  curiosity  as 
he  heard  this  ;  but  otherwise  evinced  not  the  slightest 
emotion. 

The  crowd  gazed  upon  the  young  captain  with  disap- 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          155 

pointment  while  testimony  was  being  given.  The 
agas  present  being  unable  to  conceal  the  deep  anx- 
iety depicted  upon  their  countenances,  as  they  leaned 
forward  with  impatience  to  hear  from  his  lips  some 
exonerating  statement,  which,  however,  they  feared 
could  not  be  given.  A  few  faces  wore  a  look  of  con- 
temptuous triumph.  But  two  persons  maintained  com- 
posure. It  might  be  expected  that  the  chief  Aga, 
from  his  familiarity  with  such  scenes,  if  not  from  the 
propriety  of  his  being  the  formal  embodiment  of  the 
rigid  and  remorseless  court  of  the  Janizaries,  whose 
decrees  he  was  to  announce,  would  show  no  emo- 
tion, however  strong  his  sympathy  with  the  pris- 
oner. 

The  endangered  man  answered  his  gaze  with  equal 
stolidity  when  the  judge  turned  to  him  for  his  de- 
fence ;  but  he  remained  speechless.  A  shudder  of 
horror  ran  through  the  crowd.  The  executioner 
stepped  forward  to  the  side  of  the  apparently  convicted 
person.  A  slight  ringing  sound,  as  the  long  curve  of 
the  well-tempered  blade  grazed  the  ground,  sent  to 
every  heart  the  chilling  announcement  of  his  readiness. 
The  chief  Aga  turned  to  the  others,  but  sought  in  vain 
any  palliatory  suggestion  or  appeal  for  mercy,  except 
in  the  mute  agony  of  their  looks.  The  chief  then 
raised  his  eyes  as  if  for  the  invocation  of  Allah's  con- 
firmation of  the  sentence  as  just.  But  his  prayer  was 
a  strange  one  : — "  Oh,  Allah  !  thou  hast  given  a 
wondrous  spirit  to  this  man  ;  a  courage  worthy 
of  the  soul  of  Othman  himself  !  "  Then  rising  with 
excitement  he  addressed  the  throng  in  rapid 
speech. 


156          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

"  Look  upon  this  man,  my  brothers  of  the  shining 
face  !  * 

"  Did  he  quail  at  the  ring  of  the  executioner's  sword  ? 
Did  he  even  change  color  when  he  heard  the  damning 
testimony  ?  A  true  son  of  Kara  Khalif  is  he.  A  word 
from  his  lips  would  have  exonerated  him,  yet  he 
would  not  speak  it  lest  it  should  reveal  the  secrets  of 
our  service,  which  he  would  keep  with  dead  lips  rather 
than  live  to  tell  them.  But  I  shall  be  his  witness  ;  and 
you,  my  brothers,  shall  be  his  judges.  Captain  Balla- 
ban  was  recalled  from  the  raid  by  our  brother  Sinam, 
aga  of  the  division  to  which  the  captain  belongs.  But, 
alas  !  the  sword  of  Scanderbeg  has  loosed  Sinam's 
soul  for  flight  to  paradise,  and  he  could  not  testify  to 
this  man's  fidelity.  But  I  know  the  order  of  Sinam; 
in  this  very  tent  it  was  written.  And  though  the 
faithful  messenger  who  carried  it  was  slain  in  after 
conflict,  the  order  was  executed  by  Captain  Ballaban 
to  every  letter  :  every  moment  of  his  absence  from  the 
raid  is  accounted  for  on  my  tablets  " — tapping  his  fore- 
head as  he  spoke. 

A  loud  shout  burst  from  the  crowd  which  made  the 
tent  shake  as  if  filled  with  a  rising  wind. 

"  Ballaban  !  Ballaban  !  "  cried  the  multitude,  lifting 
the  brave  fellow  upon  their  shoulders. 

"  Take  that  for  your  grin  when  you  thought  he  was 
guilty  !  "  shouted  one,  as  he  delivered  a  tremendous 
blow  upon  the  face  of  another. 

"  Death  to  Caraza-Bey  !  Down  with  the  lying  vil- 
lain !  "  rose  the  cry,  the  crowd  beginning  to  move, 

*  A  title  of  Janizaries  given  them  by  the  dervish  who  blessed 
the  order  at  its  institution  in  the  days  of  Orchan. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         157 

as  if  animated  by  a  common  spirit,  to  seek  the 
envious  commandant  of  the  neighboring  corps.  But 
they  halted  at  the  tent  side  waiting  for  the  sign  of 
permission  from  their  chief,  who,  by  the  motion  of 
his  hand  forbade  the  assault  which  would  have  brought 
on  a  terrific  battle  between  the  Janizaries  and  their 
rivals  throughout  the  army. 

"  We  shall  deal  with  Caraza-Bey  hereafter,  if  his 
shame  does  not  send  him  skulking  from  the  camps," 
said  the  chief,  resuming  his  sitting  posture,  and 
restoring  order  about  him. 

"  Summon  the  witnesses  again,"  he  proceeded. 

"  You  Lovitsch  testified  truly  as  to  Captain  Ballaban's 
absence,  and  may  go.  But  you  twin  rascals  who  swore 
to  his  escape  with  the  girl,  your  heads  shall  go  to 
Caraza-Bey,  and  your  black  souls  to  the  seventh  hell.* 
Executioner,  do  your  office  !  " 

"  Hold  !  "  cried  Ballaban,  as  the  man  drew  his 
cimeter.  "  Upon  my  return  to  the  company  I  found 
my  fair  captive  gone,  and  under  such  strange  circum- 
stances that  I  can  see  that  these  good  fellows  may  be 
honest  in  what  they  have  stated.  I  bespeak  thy 
mercy,  Sire,  for  them." 

"  Captain  Ballaban's  will  shallbe  ours,"  replied  the 
chief,  with  a  wave  of  his  hand  dismissing  the  assem- 
blage. As  the  crowd  withdrew,  he  said,  "  My  brothers, 
the  agas,  will  remain,  and  Captain  Ballaban." 

The  sides  of  the  tent  were  put  up.  The  guard 
patrolled  without  at  a  distance  of  sixty  paces,  that  no 
one  might  overhear  the  conversation  in  the  council. 

*  According  to  the  Moslems,  hell  is  divided  into  seven  stories 
or  cellars,  the  lowest  being  reserved  for  hypocrites. 


IS8          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

"  T  T  AS  Captain  Ballaban  any  explanation  of  this  con- 
1 1  spiracy  against  him  ?  "  asked  one. 
"  None ! "  was  the  laconic  reply.  But  after  a 
moment's  pause  he  added  :  "  Perhaps  there  was  no 
conspiracy,  except  as  our  jealous  neighbors  are  willing 
to  take  advantage  of  every  unseemly  circumstance 
that  can  be  twisted  to  point  against  any  of  the  Yeni- 
Tscheri.  This  may  explain  something.  The  girl 
that  I  captured  at  the  Giaour  village  was  no  common 
peasant,  by  the  cheek  of  Ayisha  !  Her  face,  as  lit  by 
the  blazing  konak,  was  of  such  beauty  as  I  have  never 
seen  except  in  some  dreams  of  my  childhood.  Her 
voice  and  manner  in  commanding  me  to  liberate  her 
were  those  of  one  well-born  or  used  to  authority.  It 
was  well  that  I  bethought  me  to  give  her  into  the 
keeping  of  that  dull-headed  Koremi,  or  she  might 
have  bewitched  me  into  obeying  her  and  letting  her 
go.  My  belief  is  that  the  girl  was  rescued.  It  may 
be  that  our  men  were  heavily  bribed  to  give  her  up, 
or  that  some  one  personated  myself  and  demanded 
her,  and  that  the  story  of  my  return  may  be  thus 
accounted  for,  but  I  cannot  see  any  treachery  in 
Koremi's  manner.  If  she  was  of  any  special  value  to 
Scanderbeg  he  would  find  some  way  of  running  her 
off,  though  he  had  to  made  a  league  with  the  devil 
and  assume  my  shape  to  do  it.  The  Arnaouts,  you 
know,  believe  that  the  Vili  are  in  collusion  with  Scan- 
derbeg, and  that  one  of  them,  a  he-vili,  Radisha,  or 
some  such  sprite,  is  his  body  servant.  That  will 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  159 

account  for  it  all,"  added  he,  laughing  at  the  con- 
ceit. 

"  But,"  said  the  second  Aga,  "  Caraza-Bey's  insult 
was  none  the  less,  if  your  surmise  be  true.  We  must 
wash  it  out  in  the  blood  of  a  hundred  or  so  of  his 
hirelings  to-morrow." 

The  chief  shook  his  head. 

"  But,"  continued  the  second  Aga,  "the  jealousy  of 
our  corps  must  be  punished.  You  see  how  near  it 
came  to  losing  for  us  the  life  of  one  of  our  bravest. 
Caraza-Bey  must  fight  me  to-morrow." 

"  Bravo  !  "  cried  all  ;  while  one  added,  "  And  let 
the  challenge  be  public,  that  the  entire  force  of  the 
Yeni-Tscheri  be  on  hand  and  all  the  troops  of  the 
Beyler  Bey  of  Anatolia,  and — "  lowering  his  voice — 
"  we  can  manage  it  so  that  the  fight  become  general, 
and  teach  these  reptiles  of  Asiatics  that  the  Yeni- 
Tscheri  are  the  right  hand  and  the  brain  of  the 
empire." 

"  Ay,  are  the  empire  !  "  said  another.  "  Let  us 
have  a  scrimmage  that  will  be  interesting.  The  war 
with  Scanderbeg  is  getting  monotonous.  One  day  he 
comes  into  our  camp,  like  a  butcher  into  a  slaughter 
pen,  and  the  next  day  we  are  marched  out  to  him,  to 
be  slaughtered  elsewhere.  It  requires  one  to  be  full 
of  Islam,  the  Holy  Resignation,  to  stand  tuis  sort  of 
life.  Yes  !  let's  do  a  little  fighting  in  our  own  way 
and  get  rid  of  some  of  this  soldier  spawn  which  the 
Padishah  has  brought  with  him  from  across  the 
Bosphorus !  " 

"  But  you  forget,  my  brothers,"  said  Ballaban, 
"  that  this  fight  with  the  Sanjak  Bey  does  not  belong 


160          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

to  any  one  beside  myself.  His  lie  was  about  me.  I 
then  am  the  man  to  take  off  his  head  ;  and  I  think  I 
can  do  it  with  as  good  grace  as  the  executioner  was 
nigh  to  taking  off  mine  just  now." 

"  No,  Captain  !  "  said  the  chief.  "  Your  rank  is  as 
yet  below  the  Bey's,  and  he  would  make  that  an 
excuse  for  declining  the  gage.  Besides,"  said  he, 
lowering  his  voice,  "  I  have  special  service  for  you 
elsewhere,  which  cannot  be  delayed." 

When  the  agas,  making  the  low  courtesy,  retired,  the 
chief  walked  with  Ballaban. 

"  Captain,  I  have  heard  no  report  of  the  errand  upon 
which  you  were  sent." 

"  No,  Sire,  I  was  arrested  the  moment  I  returned  to 
camp." 

"  You  succeeded,  I  know,  from  the  movements  of  the 
enemy  :  although  the  slowness  of  the  Padishah  in  order- 
ing an  advance,  when  Scanderbeg  was  diverted  by  your 
ruse,  prevented  our  taking  advantage  of  it." 

"  Yes,"  said  Ballaban,  "  I  succeeded  as  well  as  any 
one  could,  not  being  seconded  from  headquarters. 
But  I  did  some  service  incidentally,  and  picked  up 
some  helpful  information.  The  night  after  leaving  the 
hamlet  we  fired,  I  fell  in  with  a  company  of  Arnaouts 
who  were  coming  to  the  rescue.  They  would  have  got 
into  the  narrow  valley  before  our  men  got  out,  had  I  not 
managed  to  trick  them.  I  was  in  disguise  and  readily 
passed  for  an  Arnaout  lout,  giving  them  false  informa- 
tion about  the  direction  our  party  had  taken,  and  so 
lost  them  an  hour  or  two,  and  saved  the  throats  of 
Lovitsch's  fellows,  a  mere  rabble,  good  enough  for  a 
raid,  but  not  to  be  depended  upon  for  a  square  fight. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         l6l 

But  we  must  have  no  more  raids.  Scanderbeg  has 
means  of  communication  as  quick  and  subtle  as  if 
the  clouds  were  his  signals  and  the  stars  were  his 
beacons. 

"  I  then  came  upon  a  Dibrian  settlement,  pretend- 
ing to  be  a  fugitive  from  the  valleys  to  the  north  ; 
and  entertained  the  villagers  with  bug-a-boo  stories 
about  the  hosts  of  men  with  turbans  on  their  heads 
and  little  devils  on  their  shoulders  who  had  destroyed 
all  that  country,  and  were  now  pouring  down  toward 
the  south. 

"  By  the  way,"  continued  Ballaban laughing,  "there 
was  an  old  fellow  there,  very  lame,  with  a  patch  over 
one  eye,  who  could  hardly  stand  leaning  on  his  staff, 
he  was  so  palsied  with  age.  But  the  one  eye  that  was 
open  was  altogether  too  bright  for  his  years  ;  and  his 
legs  didn't  shake  enough  for  one  who  rattled  his  staff 
so  much.  So  I  put  him  down  as  one  of  Scanderbeg's 
lynxes — they  are  everywhere.  I  described  to  him  the 
Moslem  movements  in  such  a  way  as  to  let  a  trained 
soldier  believe  that  we  had  entirely  changed  front, 
with  the  prospective  raising  of  the  siege  of  Sfetigrade 
and  alliance  with  the  Venetians  for  carrying  the 
war  farther  to  the  north.  The  old  codger  took  the 
bait,  and  asked  fifty  questions  in  the  tone  of  a  fellow 
whose  head  had  been  used  for  a  mush-pot  instead  of 
a  brain-holder  ;  but  every  question  was  in  its  meaning 
as  keen  as  a  dagger-thrust  into  the  very  ribs  of  the 
military  situation.  Well !  I  helped  him  to  all  the 
information  he  wanted  ;  when  with  a  twinkle  in  his 
eye,  he  hobbled  away,  as  wise  as  an  owl  when  a  fresh 

streak  of  day-light  has  struck  him  :  and  before  night 
ii 


162         THE  CAPTAnV  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

the  whole  country  to  the  borders  of  Sternogovia  was 
alive  with  Scanderbeg's  scouts ;  and  every  cross- 
path  was  a  rendezvous  of  his  broken-winded  cav- 
alry. 

"  I  saw  one  thing  which  gave  me  a  hint  I  may  use 
some  day.  At  a  village  the  women  were  carrying 
water  from  a  spring  far  down  in  a  ravine,  though 
there  was  a  fine  flowing  fountain  quite  near  them.  It 
seems  that  a  dog  had  got  into  the  fountain  about  a 
month  before,  and  was  drowned.  These  Dibrians 
believe  that,  if  any  one  should  drink  the  water  of 
such  a  spring  before  as  many  days  have  passed  as 
the  dog  has  hairs  on  his  tail,  the  water  will  make  his 
bowels  rot,  and  his  soul  go  into  a  dog's  body  when 
he  dies. 

"  The  next  night  I  spent  inside  the  walls  of  Sfeti- 
grade." 

"  No  !  "  cried  the  chief.  "  Why,  man,  you  must  fly 
the  air  with  the  witches  !  " 

"  Not  at  all,  I  have  some  acquaintances  in  that  snug 
little  place  ;  and  when  they  go  to  bed  they  hang  the 
key  of  the  town  on  a  moonbeam  for  me.  If  it  is  not 
there,  I  have  only  to  vault  over  the  walls,  or  sail  over 
them  on  the  clouds,  or  burrow  under  them  with  the 
moles,  or  hold  my  breath  until  I  turn  into  a  sprite, 
like  the  wizards  on  the  Ganges,  and  lo  !  I  am  in. 
Well !  that  night  I  lodged  with  a  worthy  family  of  Sfeti- 
grade,  pretending  that  I  was  a  poor  fugitive  from  the 
very  town  we  had  raided  a  few  nights  before.  And, 
by  the  hair  of  the  beautiful  Malkhatoon  !  *  I  saw 
there  the  very  captive  I  had  taken.  She  lay  asleep  on 
*  Bride  of  Othman. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         163 

a  cot  just  within  a  doorway — unless  I  was.  asleep 
myself  and  dreaming,  as  I  half  believe  I  was." 

"  Yes,  it  was  a  dream  of  yours,  no  doubt,  Captain," 
said  the  chief,  "  for  when  a  young  fellow  like  you  once 
gets  a  fair  woman  in  his  arms,  as  you  say  you  had  her 
in  yours  the  night  of  the  raid,  she  never  gets  out  of 
the  embrace  of  his  imagination.  He  will  see  her  every- 
where, and  go  about  trying  to  hug  her  shadow. 
Beware  illusions,  Captain  !  They  use  up  a  fellow's 
thoughts,  make  him  too  meek-eyed  to  see  things  as  a 
soldier  should.  The  love  passion  will  take  the  energy 
out  of  the  best  of  us,  as  quickly  as  the  fire  takes  the 
temper  out  of  the  best  Damascene  blade." 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  counsel,  Aga,"  replied  Balla- 
ban,  his  face  coloring  as  deep  as  his  hair.  "  But  there 
was  one  thing  I  saw  with  a  waking  eye." 

"  And  what  was  that  ? " 

"  That  there  was  but  one  well  of  water  in  the  town 
of  Sfetigrade  ;  the  one  in  the  citadel  court.  But  another 
thing  I  didn't  see,  though  I  searched  the  place  for  it ; 
— and  that  was  a  dog  to  throw  into  the  well ;  or  I 
would  have  thirsted  the  superstitious  garrison  out. 
They  have  eaten  up  the  last  cur." 

"  Then  the  surrender  must  come  soon,"  said  the 
Aga. 

"  No,"  replied  Ballaban,  "  for  the  voivode  Moses 
Goleme  came  into  the  town  as  I  was  leaving,  driving 
a  flock  of  sheep  which  he  had  stolen  from  us  ;  for  he 
had  cut  off  an  entire  train  of  provisions  which  had 
been  sent  to  our  camp  from  Adrianople." 

"  Then  I  must  have  you  off  at  once  on  another  errand, 
Captain.  You  see  yonder  line  of  mountains  off  to  the 


164  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

northwest.  It  may  be  necessary  to  shift  the  war  to 
that  region  for  a  while.  Ivan  Beg,*  the  brother-in- 
law  of  Scanderbeg,  has  raised  a  pack  of  wild  fiends 
among  those  hills  of  his,  and  is  driving  out  all  our 
friends.  Nothing  can  stand  against  him  unless  it  be 
the  breasts  of  the  Yeni-Tscheri.  Scanderbeg  may 
compel  us  to  raise  the  siege  of  Sfetigrade,  for  he 
bleeds  us  daily  like  a  leech.  A  diversion  after  Ivan 
Beg  will  at  least  be  more  honorable  than  a  return  to 
Adrianople.  Now  I  would  know  exactly  the  passes 
and  best  places  for  fortification  in  Ivan's  country  ; 
and  you,  Captain,  are  the  man  to  find  them  out.  You 
should  be  off  at  once.  Take  your  time  and  spy 
thoroughly,  making  a  map  and  transmitting  to  me 
your  notes.  And  while  there  feel  the  people.  It  is 
rumored  that  the  young  voivode,  Amesa,  is  restless 
under  the  leadership  of  Soanderbeg.  If  a  dissension 
could  be  created  among  these  Arnaouts,  it  would  be 
well.  Arnesa  has  a  large  personal  following  in  that 
north  country  ;  for  his  castle  is  just  on  the  border 
of  it." 

"  But,"  replied  Ballaban,  "  I  must  first  pluck  the 
beard  of  that  cowardly  Caraza-Bey  !  " 

"  No  !  I  forbid  it.  Your  blood  is  worth  more  in 
your  own  veins  than  anywhere  else.  I  should  not 
consent  to  your  risking  a  drop  of  it  in  personal  com- 
bat with  any  one  except  Scanderbeg  himself." 

The  fight  between  the  second  Aga  and  Caraza-Bey 
did  not  take  place.  That  worthy  was  conveniently  sent 

\  Ivo,  the  Black,  or  Tsernoi,  from  whom  the  mountain  country 
to  the  north  of  Albania  was  called  Tsernogorki,  or,  in  its  Latinized 
form,  Montenegro. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         165 

by  Sultan  Amurath,  who  had  learned  of  the  feud,  to 
look  after  certain  turbulent  Caramanians  ;  and  leaving 
behind  him  a  wake  of  curses  upon  all  Janizaries  from 
the  chief  to  the  pot-scourers,  he  took  his  departure  for 
the  Asiatic  provinces. 

Had  he  remained,  the  Turks  would  have  had  enough 
to  occupy  them  without  this  gratuitous  melee.  For 
during  the  night  scouts  brought  word  that  Scanderbeg 
had  massed  all  his  forces,  that  were  not  behind  the 
walls  of  Sfetigrade,  at  a  point  to  the  right  of  the 
Turkish  lines.  Hardly  had  the  army  been  faced  to 
meet  this  attack,  when  scouts  came  from  the  left, 
reporting  serious  depredations  on  that  flank. 
Amurath,  in  the  uncertainty  of  the  enemy's  movement, 
divided  his  host.  The  Asiatics  were  given  the  northern 
and  the  Janizaries  the  southern  defence ;  either 
of  them  outnumbering  any  force  Scanderbeg  could 
send  against  them.  But,  as  a  tornado  cuts  its  broad 
swath  through  a  forest,  uprooting  or  snapping  the 
gigantic  trees,  showing  its  direction  only  by  the  after 
track  of  desolation,  which  it  cuts  in  almost  unvarying 
width,  while  beyond  its  well  defined  lines  scarcely  a 
branch  is  broken  or  a  nest  overturned  among  the 
swaying  foliage — so  Scanderbeg  swooped  from  east 
to  west  through  the  very  centre  of  the  Turkish  encamp- 
ment, gathering  up  arms  and  provisions,  and  strewing 
his  track  with  the  bodies  of  the  slain.  By  the  time 
that  the  Moslems  were  sufficiently  concentrated  to  offer 
effective  resistance  the  assailants  were  gone. 

At  the  head  of  the  victorious  band  Scanderbeg  rode 
a  small  and  ungainly,  but  tough  and  tireless  animal — 
like  most  of  the  Albanian  horses,  which  were  better 


X66        THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

adapted  to  threading  their  way  down  the  pathless 
mountain  sides,  than  to  curveting  in  military  parade — 
their  lack  of  natural  ballast  being  made  up  by  the 
enormous  burdens  they  were  trained  to  carry. 

The  figure  and  bearing  of  Scanderbeg,  however, 
amply  compensated  the  lack  of  martial  picturesque- 
ness  in  his  steed.  He  was  in  full  armor,  except  that 
his  sword  arm  was  bared.  His  beard  of  commingled 
yellow  and  gray  fell  far  down  upon  the  steel  plates  of 
his  corselet.  A  helmet  stuck  far  back  upon  his  head, 
showed  the  massive  brow  which  seemed  of  ampler 
height,  from  the  Albanian  custom  of  clipping  short,  or 
shaving  the  hair  off  from  the  upper  forehead. 

Wheeling  his  horse,  he  engaged  in  conversation  with 
a  stout,  but  awkward  soldier. 

"  You  and  your  beast  are  well  matched,  Constantine. 
You  both  need  better  training  before  you  are  fit  to 
parade  as  prisoners  of  Amurath.  You  sit  your  horse 
as  a  cat  rides  a  dog,  though  you  do  hold  on  as  well 
with  your  heel  as  she  with  her  claws.  Your  short  legs 
would  do  better  to  clamp  the  belly  of  a  crocodile." 

"  Yes,  we  are  both  accustomed  to  marching  and 
fighting  in  our  own  way,  rather  than  in  company," 
replied  Constantine.  "  But  the  beast  has  not  failed 
me  by  a  false  step  ;  not  when  we  leaped  the  fallen  oak 
and  landed  in  the  gulch  back  yonder.  The  beast 
came  down  as  safely  and  softly  as  on  the  training 
lawn." 

"  And  you  have  done  as  well  yourself,"  replied  the 
general.  "  That  was  a  bad  play  though  you  had  with 
the  Turk  as  we  cut  our  way  through  the  last  knot  of 
them.  But  for  a  side  thrust  which  I  had  time  to  give 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         167 

at  your  antagonist,  while  waiting  for  the  slow  motions 
of  my  own,  I  fear  that  your  animal  would  be  lighter 
now  by  just  your  weight.  You  strike  powerfully,  but 
you  do  not  recover  yourself  skilfully.  A  good  swordsman 
would  get  a  response  into  your  ribs  before  you  could 
deal  him  a  second.  Here,  I  will  show  you  !  Now 
thrust  !  Strike  !  No,  not  so  ;  but  hard,  villainously,  at 
me,  as  if  I  were  the  Turk  who  stole  your  girl !  So  ! 
Again  !  Again  ! — Now  learn  this  movement " — press- 
ing his  own  sword  steadily  against  his  companion's,  and 
bending  him  back  until  he  was  almost  off  his  horse. 
"  And  this,"  dealing  so  tremendous  a  slash  with  the 
back  of  the  sword  that  Constantine's  arm  was  almost 
numbed  by  the  effort  to  resist  it. — "  And  this  !  "  trans- 
mitting a  twisting  motion  from  his  own  to  his  oppo- 
nent's weapon,  so  that  for  one  instant  they  seemed  like 
two  serpents  writhing  together  ;  but  at  the  next 
Constantine's  sword  was  twirled  out  his  hand. 

"  You  will  make  a  capital  swordsman  with  practice, 
my  boy.  And  the  girl  ?  Keep  a  sharpened  eye  for 
her  ;  and  tell  me  if  so  much  as  a  new  spider's  web  be 
woven  at  her  door." 

A  peasant  woman  stood  by  the  path  as  they  pro- 
ceeded, holding  out  her  hand  for  alms,  as  she  ran 
beside  the  general's  horse.  He  leaned  toward  her  to 
give  something  ;  but,  as  his  hand  touched  hers,  she 
slipped  a  bit  of  white  rag  into  it  : 

"  The  map  of  the  roads,  Sire,  twixt  this  and 
Monastir  !  " 

"  And  your  son,  my  good  woman  ?  "  inquired  the 
general  kindly. 

"  Ah  !    the  Virgin  pity  me,  Sire,  for  he  died.     We 


Ib8          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

could  not  stop  the  bleeding,  for  the  lance's  point  had 
cut  a  vein.  But  I  have  a  daughter  who  can  take  his 
place.  She  knows  the  signals — for  he  taught  them  to 
her — and  can  make  the  beacon  as  well  as  he  ;  and  is  as 
nimble  of  foot  to  climb  the  crag.  But  please,  Sire,  the 
child  did  not  remember  if  the  enemy  going  west  was 
to  be  signalled  by  lighting  the  beacon  before  or  after 
the  bright  star's  setting." 

"  Just  after,  good  mother.  If  they  go  to  the  east 
and  cross  the  mountain,  fire  the  beacon  just  before  the 
star  sets.  And  the  brightest  of  all  stars  be  for  your 
own  hope  and  comfort !  " 

"  And  for  dear  Albania's  and  thine  own  !  "  replied 
the  woman,  disappearing  in  the  crowd,  as  a  man 
dashed  close  to  Scanderbeg  on  a  well-jaded  steed. 

"  The  Turkish  auxiliaries  will  be  at  the  entrance  to 
the  defile  in  thirty  hours." 

"  Your  estimate  of  their  number,  neighbor  Stephen  ?" 

"  From  three  to  five  thousand." 

"  Not  more  ?  " 

"  Not  more  in  the  first  detachment.  A  second  of 
equal  size  follows,  but  a  day  in  the  rear." 

"  Good  !  Take  with  you  our  nephew,  Musache  de 
Angeline,  and  five  hundred  Epirots  each.  This  will 
be  sufficient  to  prevent  the  first  detachment  getting 
out  of  the  pass.  I  will  strike  the  second  from  the  rear 
as  soon  as  they  enter  the  pass.  They  can  not 
manoeuvre  in  that  crooked  and  narrow  defile,  and  we 
will  destroy  them  at  our  leisure.  Strike  promptly. 
Farewell  !  " 

"  Miserable  sheep  !  "  he  muttered,  "  why  will  these 
Turks  so  tempt  me  to  slaughter  them  ?  " 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.       169 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

UPON  the  southern  slope  of  the  Black  Mountain — 
that  is,  on  the  rising  uplands  which  lead  from 
Albania  to  Montenegro — lay  the  ancient  and  princely 
estates  of  the  De  Streeses.  A  dense  forest  of  pines 
spread  for  miles,  like  a  myriad  gigantic  pillars  in  some 
vast  temple.  They  seemed  to  support,  as  it  were, 
some  Titanic  dome  surrounded  with  pinnacles  and 
turrets,  a  huge  cluster  of  jagged  rocks,  which  was 
called  by  those  who  gazed  upon  it  from  leagues  away 
"  The  Eyrie."  In  the  midst  of  these  great  monoliths, 
and  hardly  distinguishable  from  them,  rose  the  walls 
of  the  new  castle  which  the  voivode  Amesa  had  built 
upon  the  ruins  of  that  destroyed  at  the  time  of  the 
massacre  of  its  former  possessor. 

The  horse  of  the  voivode  stood  within  the  court,  his 
head  drooping,  and  the  white  sweat-foam  drying  upon 
his  heated  flanks.  His  master  paced  up  and  down  the 
enclosure,  engaged  in  low  but  excited  conversation 
with  a  soldier. 

The  voivode  was  of  princely  mien  ;  tall,  but  com- 
pactly built ;  face  full  in  its  lower  development,  and 
somewhat  sensual ;  eyes  gray  and  restless,  which  gave 
one  at  first  a  sharp,  penetrating  glance,  and  then 
seemed  to  hide  behind  the  half-closed  lids,  like  some 
wild  animal  that  inspects  the  hunter  hastily,  then  takes 
to  covert. 

"  You  are  sure,  Drakul,  that  the  party  which  drove 
you  from  the  hamlet  were  Turks,  and  not  Arnaouts  in 
disguise,  like  yourselves  ?  " 


1 70          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

"  I  could  not  mistake,"  said  Drakul,  a  hard-faced 
man,  one  of  whose  eyebrows  was  arched  higher  than 
the  other,  and  whose  entire  countenance  was  distorted 
from  the  symmetrical  balance  of  its  two  sides,  giving 
an  expression  of  duplicity  and  cruelty.  "  I  could  not 
mistake,  noble  Amesa,  for  I  have  too  often  eyed  those 
rascals  over  the  point  of  my  sword  not  to  know  a  Turk 
in  the  dark.  But  all  the  fiends  combined  against  us 
that  night.  We  left  our  two  best  men  dead,  and  the 
two  we  wanted,  the  boy  and  the  girl,  escaped  us.  The 
she-witch  did  not  come  back  to  the  village  the  next  day; 
but  the  red-headed  imp  did,  and  raved  like  a  hyena 
when  he  found  the  girl  missing.  I  watched  him  as  he 
suddenly  went  off,  doubtless,  to  some  spot  they  both 
knew  of.  The  young  thief  stole  the  clothes  off  a  dead 
Turk.  The  next  day  we  spied  him  again  ;  this  time 
with  that  Arnaud-Kabilovitsch,  Albanian-Servian, 
forester-colonel,  or  whatever  he  may  be,  who  came 
back  when  Castriot  did.'  The  fellow  escaped  us  a 
second  time." 

"  Track  him  !  track  him  ! "  cried  Amesa  spitefully. 
"  I  will  make  you  rich,  Drakul,  the  day  you  bring  me 
that  fox's  brush  of  red  hair  from  his  head." 

"  I  have  tracked  him  and  could  take  you  to  the  very 
spot  where  he  and  the  girl  are  to-day,"  said  the  man. 
"  Come  this  way,  my  noble  Amesa," — leading  him  to 
the  side  of  the  court  commanding  a  far  stretch  of 
country  to  the  north-west.  "  Now  let  your  eye  follow 
Skadar*  along  the  left  shore  :  then  up  the  great  river,  f 

*  Lake  Scadar  or  Scutari. 

\  The  Tsenioyevitcha,  the  great  river  of  Montenegro  which  emp- 
ties into  Lake  Scutari. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          171 

Not  two  leagues  from  the  mountain  spur  that  bends 
the  stream  out  of  your  sight,  at  the  hamlet  just  off  the 
road  into  your  Uncle  Ivan's  country — " 

"  The  stargeshina  has  a  red  goitre  like  a  turkey 
cock  ?  I  know  every  hut  in  the  hamlet,"  interrupted 
Amesa.  "  But  why  think  you  she  is  there  ? " 

"  Why  ?  I  have  seen  her,  and  him  with  her.  I  fol- 
lowed the  fellow  day  after  day.  Once  I  saw  him  yon- 
der on  the  spur.  He  clipped  the  bark  of  a  tree,  and 
in  the  smoothed  spot  cut  a  line.  A  little  beyond  he 
did  the  same  thing  again.  He  spied  this  way  and  that 
way  with  all  the  pains  one  would  take  to  pick  a  way 
for  an  army.  Then  he  took  a  roll  of  paper  from  his 
bosom,  and  marked  down  something  for  every  mark 
he  had  made  upon  the  trees.  And  when  he  was  out 
of  sight  I  took  the  range  of  his  marks,  and  by  St. 
Theckla !  they  pointed  straight  to  a  path  which  led 
down  the  mountain  to  the  ford  in  the  great  river  that 
is  opposite  the  old  turkey  coek's  konak." 

"  But  you  may  have  mistaken  the  man,"  suggested 
Amesa. 

"  Not  I,  Sire.  I  know  his  head  as  well  as  a  bull 
knows  a  red  rag  ;  and  his  duck  legs,  and  his  walk  like 
an  ambling  horse." 

"  It  is  he,"  submitted  Amesa.  "  But  how  know  you 
that  the  girl  was  there  in  the  hamlet  ? " 

"  Did  I  not  see  her,  my  noble  Amesa  ?  And  could 
I  not  know  her  from  the  look  of  her  father  ?  If  I 
could  forget  him  living,  I  have  never  passed  a  night 
without  seeing  his  face  as  it  was  dead,  when  we 
dragged  him  to  the  burning  beams  of  the  old  house 
that  stood  on  this " 


172         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

"Silence  !  "  cried  Amesa  in  a  sudden  burst  of  rage. 
"  How  dare  you  allude  to  my  uncle's  death  without  my 
bidding  ?" 

There  was  a  pause  for  a  few  moments,  during  which 
Amesa  stamped  heavily  upon  the  stone  pavement  of 
the  court  as  he  walked,  like  one  endeavoring  to  shake 
off  from  his  person  some  noisome  thing  that  troubled 
him.  The  man  resumed — 

"  Besides,  the  children  of  the  village  said  she  was  a 
stray  kid  there,  and  not  of  kin  to  anybody.  And  while 
I  was  there  the  same  stump-headed  fellow  who  marked 
the  direction  came  to  the  hamlet." 

"  Be  ready  to  accompany  me  to-morrow,  Drakul. 
You  can  say  that  we  are  scouting." 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

HPHE  lake  of  Skadar  lay  like  an  immense  lapis  lazuli 
1  within  its  setting  of  mountains,  which,  on  the  east, 
were  golden  with  the  rays  of  the  declining  sun,  and  on 
the  west,  enameled  in  emerald  with  the  dense  shad- 
ows their  summits  dropped  upon  them.  The  surface 
of  the  water  was  unbroken,  save  here  and  there  by 
black  spots  where  a  pair  of  loons  shrieked  their 
marital  unhappiness,  or  a  flock  of  wild  ducks  floated, 
like  a  miniature  fleet,  about  the  reed-fringed  shores  of 
some  little  island.  Had  there  been  watchers  on  the 
fortress  of  Obod,  which  lay  on  the  cliff  just  above 
where  the  Tsernoyevitcha  enters  Skadar,  they  would 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         1 73 

have  espied  a  light  shallop  gliding  along  the  eastern 
bank  of  the  lake.  This  contained  the  voivode  Amesa 
and  his  attendant.  Just  at  night-fall  they  reached  the 
cavern,  whose  hidden  recesses  begot  a  hundred  legends 
which  the  weird  shadows  of  the  cave  clothed  in  forms 
as  fantastic  as  their  own,  and  which  still  flit  among 
the  hamlets  of  Montenegro.  It  was  said  that  whoever 
should  sleep  within  the  cave  would  rest  his  head  on 
the  bosoms  of  the  nymphs  : — only  let  him  take  care 
that  their  love  does  not  prevent  his  ever  waking. 
Amesa  and  his  companion  were  courageous,  but  dis- 
cretion led  them  to  wind  the  strooka  about  their  heads, 
and  seek  without  a  couch  of  pine  needles  between  the 
enormous,  roots  of  the  trees  which  had  dropped  them. 
The  dawn  had  just  silvered  the  east,  and  the  com- 
ing sun  transformed  the  cold  blue  tints  of  Skadar  into 
amber,  when  they  entered  the  river.  The  great  stream 
wound  through  the  broad  lowlands  of  Tsetinie,  gird- 
led with  rocky  hills.  Then  it  dashed  in  impetuous 
floods  between  more  straightened  banks,  or  lingered, 
as  if  the  river  spirit  would  bathe  himself  in  the  deep 
pools  that  were  cooled  by  the  springs  at  their  bot- 
toms. Though  familiar  with  the  phenomenon,  they 
loitered  that  they  might  watch  the  schools  of  fish 
which  were  so  dense  in  places  as  to  impede  the  stroke 
of  the  oar  blade,  and  tint  the  entire  stream  with  their 
dull  silvery  gleam.*  Emerging  from  a  tortuous  chan- 
nel, through  which  the  river  twisted  itself  like  a  vast 
shining  serpent,  they  came  to  a  cluster  of  houses  that 
nestled  in  a  gorge.  These  houses  were  made  of  stone, 
and  so  covered  with  vines  as  to  be  hardly  distinguish- 
*  Still  noted  by  travellers  on  this  river. 


174          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

able  from  the  dense  shrubbery  that  clambered  over 
the  rocks  about  them. 

Amesa  was  warmly  greeted  by  the  stargeshina  who 
occupied  the  konak,  or  principal  house.  The  older 
people  remembered  the  visitor  as  the  comely  lad  who, 
before  the  return  of  George  Castriot,  was  almost  the 
only  male  representative  of  that  noble  family  left  in 
the  land.  The  voivode  was  honored  with  every  evi- 
dence that  the  villagers  felt  themselves  complimented 
by  the  visit  of  their  guest,  whatever  business  or  caprice 
might  have  brought  him  thither. 

A  simple  repast  was  provided,  in  which  the  court- 
esy of  the  service  on  the  part  of  the  stargeshina  more 
than  compensated  any  poverty  in  the  display  of  viands  ; 
— though  there  were  set  forth  meats  dried  in  strips  in 
the  smoke  of  an  open  fire  ;  eggs  ;  sweet,  though 
black  bread  ;  and  wine  pressed  from  various  moun- 
tain berries,  and  allowed  to  ferment  in  skins.  As  they 
sat  beside  a  low  table  at  the  doorway  of  the  konak, 
the  stargeshina  offered  a  formal  salam,  the  zdravitsa, 
which  was  half  a  toast  and  half  a  prayer,  and  extended 
his  hand  to  Amesa  in  the  protestation  of  personal 
friendship.  At  the  meal  the  glories  of  Castriot  and 
Ivan  Beg — or  Ivo,  as  the  peasants  called  him — were 
duly  recited. 

"  But  why,"  said  the  old  man,  rising  to  his  feet  with  the 
enthusiasm  of  the  sentiment — "  Why  should  the  coun- 
try sing  the  praises  of  George  Castriot,  who  for  thirty 
years  was  willing  to  be  a  Turk  and  fight  for  an  alien 
faith  ?  Your  shoulders,  noble  Amesa — Prince  Amesa, 
my  loyal  heart  would  call  you — could  as  well  have 
borne  the  burden  of  the  people's  defence.  Your  arm 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         1 75 

could  strike  as  good  a  blow  as  his  for  Albania.  Your 
blood  is  that  of  the  Castriots,  and  untainted  by  Mos- 
lem touch.  Your  estates,  since  you  have  become  heir 
to  the  lands  of  De  Streeses,  make  you  our  richest  and 
most  influential  voivode." 

These  words  made  the  eyes  of  Amesa  flash,  not 
with  any  novel  pleasure,  rather  with  an  ambition  to 
which  he  was  no  stranger.  But  the  flash  was  smoth- 
ered at  once  by  the  half-closed  eyelids,  and  he  re- 
sponded— 

"  I  ought  not  to  hear  such  words,  my  good  friend. 
My  Uncle  George  is  the  hero  of  the  hour.  The  peo- 
ple need  a  hero  in  whom  they  believe  ;  and  the  very 
mystery  of  his  life  for  the  thirty  years  among  the 
Turks,  and  the  romance  of  his  return,  make  him  a  con- 
venient hero." 

"  But  Sire,  my  noble — my  Prince  Amesa — do  you 
not  daily  hear  such  words  as  I  speak  ?  The  thought 
is  as  common  as  the  Pater  Noster,  and  echoes  from 
Skadar  to  Ochrida.  It  was  but  a  week  since  a  young 
Albanian  passed  through  this  border  country,  whis- 
pering everywhere  that  the  land  was  ready  to  cry 
Amesa's  name  rather  than  the  reformed  renegade, 
George  Castriot's  ;  that  Scanderbeg,  the  Lord  Alex- 
ander, the  strutting  title  the  Turks  gave  him,  was  an 
offence  to  the  free  hearts  of  the  people." 

"  Ah  !  and  what  sort  of  a  man  for  look  was  this 
Albanian  ?  "  asked  Amesa  in  surprise. 

"A  sturdy  youth  of,  say,  twenty  summers,  with  hair 
like  a  turban  which  had  been  worn  by  a  dozen  slaugh- 
tered Turks,  so  blood  red  is  it." 

Amesa  gave  a  puzzled  look  toward  Drakul,  who 


176          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

was  eating  his  meal  at  a  little  distance,  but  whose 
ears  seemed  to  prick  up  like  those  of  a  horse  at  this 
description. 

"  It  is  likely  that  he  may  be  again  in  the  village  this 
very  night.  Our  neighbor  next  lodged  him.  I  will 
ask  him  if  he  will  return,"  said  the  stargeshina,  leav- 
ing the  konak  tor  a  little. 

"  It  is  he ;  it's  that  Constantine,"  said  Drakul, 
coming  nearer  to  Amesa.  "  The  wily  young  devil  is 
ready  to  betray  your  Uncle  George.  That  will  make 
the  matter  easier." 

"The  way  is  clear,  then,"  replied  Amesa.  "I  am 
glad  that  the  raid  was  not  successful.  It  might  have 
led  to  further  blood.  With  this  fellow  in  league  with 
us,  it  is  straight  work  and  honorable." 

The  stargeshina  reported  the  man  would  probably 
be  in  again  that  very  night,  and  added: 

"  I  would  you  could  see  him  ;  for  though  he  is  fair 
spoken,  there  is  some  mystery  in  his  going  day  after 
day  among  these  mountains,  like  a  hound  who  is  look- 
ing for  a  lost  scent." 

"Perhaps  he  is  attracted  here  by  some  of  the  fair 
maidens  of  the  hamlets,"  suggested  Amesa,  looking  at 
Drakul,  who  was  tearing  a  bit  of  jerked  meat  in  his 
teeth,  apparently  intent  only  upon  that  selfish  occu- 
pation. 

"  It  may  well  be,  for  our  neighbor  here  has  harbored 
a  bit  of  stray  womanhood  which  might  tempt  a  monk 
to  lodge  there  rather  than  in  his  cell,"  said  the  old 
man. 

A  shout  from  above  them  attracted  their  attention 
to  a  merry  company  which  was  coming  down  the 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         177 

mountain.  It  was  the  procession  of  the  Dodola. 
Drought  threatened  to  destroy  the  scanty  grain  grow- 
ing in  the  narrow  valleys,  and  the  vines  on  the  terraces 
cut  out  of  the  steep  hills.  According  to  an  ancient 
custom,  a  young  maiden  had  been  taken  by  her  com- 
panions into  the  woods,  stripped  of  her  usual  garments, 
and  reclothed  in  the  leaves  and  flowers  of  the  endan- 
gered vegetation.  Long  grasses  and  stalks  of  grain 
were  matted  in  many  folds  about  her  person,  and 
served  as  a  base  for  artistic  decoration  with  every 
variety  of  floral  beauty.  Her  feet  were  buskined  in 
clover  blossoms.  A  kilt  of  broad-leaved  ferns  hung 
from  her  waist,  which  was  belted  with  a  broad  zone  of 
wild  roses.  White  and  pink  laurel  blossoms  made 
her  bodice.  An  ivy  wreath  upon  her  brows  was  starred 
with  white  daisies,  and  plumed  with  the  stems  and 
hanging  bells  of  the  columbine. 

The  Dodola  thus  appeared  as  the  impersonation  of 
floral  nature  athirst  for  the  vivifying  rains.  Her 
attendants,  who  led  her  in  a  leash  of  roses,  chanted  a 
hymn,  the  refrain  of  which  was  a  prayer  to  Elijah, 
who,  since  he  brought  the  rain  at  Carmel,  is  supposed 
by  the  peasants  of  Albania  to  be  that  saint  to  whom 
Providence  has  committed  the  shepherding  of  the 
clouds.  As  the  procession  wound  down  the  terraced 
paths  between  the  houses,  the  Dodola  was  welcomed 
by  the  matrons  of  the  hamlet,  who  stood  each  in  her 
own  doorway,  with  hair  gathered  beneath  a  cap  of 
coins,  teeth  enameled  in  black,  fingers  tipped  brownish- 
red  with  henna.  The  maidens  sung  a  verse  of  their 
hymn  at  each  cottage  ;  and,  at  the  refrain,  the  house- 
wife poured  upon  the  head  of  the  leaf-clad  Dodola  a 
12 


178         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

cup  of  water  ;  repeating  the  last  line  of  the  chorus, 
"  Good  Saint  Elias,  so  send  the  rain  !  " 

As  the  Dodola  paused  before  the  konak,  Amesa 
said,  quite  enthusiastically,  and  designing  to  be  over- 
heard by  the  fair  girl  who  took  the  part  of  thirsting 
nature,  "  If  Elias  can  refuse  the  prayer  of  so  much 
womanly  beauty,  I  swear,  by  Jezebel,  that  I  shall  here- 
after believe,  with  the  Turks,  that  the  austere  old 
prophet  has  become  bewitched  with  the  houris  in 
paradise,  and  so  does  not  care  to  look  into  the  faces  of 
earthly  damsels." 

"  You  may  still  keep  your  Christian  faith,  for  the  Do- 
dola has  won  the  favor  of  the  Thunderer,"*  replied  the 
stargeshina.  "  Listen  to  his  love-making  in  response 
to  the  witchery  of  that  wild  dove  !  Do  you  hear  it  ?  " 

The  distant  murmur  of  a  coming  shower  confirmed 
the  credulity  of  the  peasants. 

"  Yes,  soon  the  Holy  Virgin  will  turn  her  bright 
glances  upon  us,"f  said  he  looking  at  the  sky. 

"  Who  is  that  wild  dove  who  acts  the  Dodola  ?  " 
inquired  Amesa. 

"  The  one  I  told  you  of,  who  has  come  into  our 
neighbor's  cot,"  replied  the  old  man.  "  But  only  the 
sharp  eyes  of  the  crows  saw  where  she  came  from. 
Did  she  not  speak  our  tongue  and  know  our  ways  as 
well  as  any  of  us,  I  should  say  she  was  one  of  the 
Tsigani  who  were  driven  out  of  the  morning  land  by 
Timour.J  Yet  it  may  be  that  her  own  story  is  true. 

*  An  Albanian  title  of  Elijah. 

\  The  Albanians  regard  Mary  as  the  sender  of  lightning. 

\  Tsigani ;  a  word  by  which  Slavic  people  designate  the  gypsies, 
who  are  supposed  by  them  to  have  come  from  India  in  the  time  of 
Tamerlane. 


THE  CAP  TA IN  OF  THE  JA  NIZARIES.         1 7 9 

She  says  she  had  two  lovers  in  her  village  ;  and  these 
two  were  brothers  in  God,  who  had  taken  the  vow 
before  heaven  and  St.  John  to  help  and  never  to  hin- 
der each  other  in  whatever  adventure  of  love  or  brig- 
andage, at  cost  of  limb  or  life.  But  as  the  hot  blood 
of  neither  of  these  lovers  could  endure  to  see  this 
nymph  in  the  arms  of  the  other,  it  was  determined  that 
she  should  be  slain  by  the  hand  of  both,  rather  than 
that  the  sacred  brotherhood  should  be  broken.  By 
her  own  father's  hearth  the  two  daggers  were  struck 
together  at  her  heart.  But  the  strong  arms  of  the 
slayers  collided,  and  both  blows  glanced.  She  escaped 
and  fled,  and  came  hither." 

"  And  you  believe  this  story  ? "  asked  Amesa,  with 
a  look  of  incredulity  mingled  with  triumph,  as  of  one 
who  knew  more  than  the  narrator. 

"  I  believe  her  story,  noble  Amesa,  because — because 
no  one  has  told  me  any  other.  But —  "  He  shook 
his  head. 

"  Does  not  the  young  stranger  you  spoke  of  know 
something  of  her,  that  he  prowls  about  this  neighbor- 
hood ?"  asked  the  guest. 

"  It  may  be.  I  had  not  thought  it,  but  it  may  well 
be  !  Hist—  !  " 

The  Dodola  passed  by,  returning  to  her  own  cot- 
tage. As  she  did  so  her  bright  black  eyes  glanced 
coquettishly  at  the  stranger  from  beneath  her  disar- 
ranged chaplet  of  flowers  and  dishevelled  hair.  She 
soon  returned,  having  assumed  her  garments  as  a 
peasant  maid,  but  with  evident  effort  to  make  this 
simple  attire  set  off  the  great  natural  beauty  of  face 
and  form,  of  which  she  was  fully  conscious.  Her  fore- 


l8o  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

head  was  too  low ;  but  Pygmalion  could  not  have 
chiselled  a  brow  and  temples  upon  which  glossy  black 
ringlets  clustered  more  bewitchingly.  Her  eyes  flashed 
too  cold  a  fire  light  to  give  one  the  impression  of  great 
amiability  in  their  possessor ;  but  the  long  lashes 
which  drooped  before  them,  partially  veiled  their  stare 
so  as  to  give  the  illusion  of  coyness,  if  not  of  maid- 
enly modesty.  Her  mouth  was  perhaps  sensuously 
curved  ;  but  was  one  of  those  marvellously  plastic  ones 
which  can  tell  by  the  slightest  arching  or  compressing  of 
the  lips  as  much  of  purpose  or  feeling  as  most  people  can 
tell  in  words  : — dangerous  lips  to  the  possessor,  if  she 
be  guileless  and  unsuspicious,  for  they  reveal  too  much 
of  her  soul  to  others  who  have  no  right  to  know  its 
secrets  ;  dangerous  lips  to  others  if  she  would  deceive, 
for  they  can  lie,  consummately,  wickedly,  without  utter- 
ing a  word.  Her  complexion  was  scarcely  brunette  ; 
rather  that  indescribable  fairness  in  which  the  whiteness 
of  alabaster  is  tinged  with  the  blood  of  perfect  health, 
slightly  bronzed  by  constant  exposure  to  the  sunshine 
and  air — a  complexion  seldom  seen  except  in  Syria, 
the  Greek  Islands,  or  Wales.  Her  form  was  faultless, 
— just  at  that  stage  of  development  when  the  grace 
and  litheness  of  childhood  are  beginning  to  be  lost  in 
the  statelier  mysteries  of  womanly  beauty  ;  that  transi- 
tion state  between  two  ideals  of  loveliness,  which,  from 
the  days  of  Phidias,  has  lured,  but  always  eluded,  the 
artist's  skill  to  reproduce. 

The  girl's  face  flushed  with  the  consciousness  of 
being  gazed  at  approvingly  by  the  courtly  stranger. 
But  the  pretty  toss  of  her  head  showed  that  the  blush 
was  due  as  much  to  the  conceit  of  her  beauty  as  to 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         181 

bashfulness.  As  she  talked  with  the  other  maidens, 
she  glanced  furtively  toward  the  door  of  the  konak, 
where  Amesa  sat.  The  young  voivode  foresaw  that  it 
would  not  be  difficult  to  entice  the  girl  herself  to  be 
the  chief  agent  in  any  plan  he  might  have  for  her  abduc- 
tion. 

He  needed,  however,  to  make  more  certain  of  her 
identity  with  the  object  of  his  search.  He  could  dis- 
cern no  trace  of  Mara  De  Streeses  in  her  face  ;  much 
less  in  her  manner.  Since  Drakul  had  suggested  it, 
he  imagined  a  resemblance  to  De  Streeses  himself, 
whose  bearing  was  haughty  and  his  temperament  fiery. 

The  evening  brought  the  young  man  of  whom  the 
stargeshina  had  spoken.  His  resemblance  to  the 
description  given  him  of  Constantine  left  no  doubt  in 
Amesa's  mind  of  his  being  the  mysterious  custodian 
of  the  heiress  to  his  estates.  The  young  Servian  he 
supposed  would  at  once  recognize  him  as  Amesa  ;  for, 
as  a  prominent  officer  in  the  army,  his  face  would  be 
well  known  to  all  who  had  been  in  Castriot's  camps, 
even  if  the  gossip  of  the  villagers  did  not  at  once 
inform  him  of  his  presence.  It  were  best  then,  thought 
Amesa,  to  boldly  confront  him  ;  win  him,  if  possible, 
to  his  service  ;  if  not,  destroy  him. 

The  young  stranger  was  at  once  on  frolicksome 
terms  with  the  village  girls  and  lads  ;  and  Amesa 
thought  he  observed  that  through  it  all  the  fellow  kept 
a  sharp,  if  not  a  suspicious,  eye  upon  him.  Lest  he 
should  escape,  the  voivode  invited  him  to  walk  beyond 
the  houses  of  the  village.  When  out  of  sight  and 
hearing  he  suddenly  turned  upon  the  young  man,  and, 
laying  a  hand  upon  his  shoulder,  exclaimed, 


182         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

"  You  are  known,  man  !  " 

"  Upon  the  instant  the  stranger  was  transformed 
from  the  sauntering  peasant  into  a  gladiator,  with  feet 
firmly  planted,  the  left  hand  raised  as  a  shield,  and  the 
right  grasping  a  yataghan  which  had  been  concealed 
upon  his  person.  Amesa,  though  the  aggressor,  was 
thrown  upon  the  defensive,  and  was  compelled  to  re- 
treat in  order  to  gain  time  for  the  grip  of  his  weapon. 

The  two  men  stood  glaring  into  each  other's  eyes 
as  there  each  to  read  his  antagonist's  movement  before 
his  hand  began  to  execute  it. 

"  I  did  not  know  that  a  Servian  peasant  was  so 
trained,"  said  Amesa,  still  retreating  before  the  ad- 
vance of  his  opponent,  who  gave  him  no  opportunity 
to  assume  the  offensive. 

"  For  whom  do  you  take  me  that  you  dare  to  lay  a 
rough  hand  on  me  ? "  said  the  man,  half  in  menace, 
and  yet  apparently  willing  to  discover  if  his  assailant 
were  right  in  his  surmise. 

"  Arnaud's  man  and  I  need  not  be  enemies,"  said 
Amesa,  seeing  no  chance  of  relieving  himself  from  the 
advantage  the  other  had  gained  in  the  sword  play.  "  I 
can  reward  you  better  than  he  or  Castriot." 

A  smile  passed  over  the  man's  face,  which  Amesa 
might  have  detected  the  meaning  of  had  his  mind 
been  less  occupied  with  thoughts  about  his  personal 
safety  from  the  yataghan,  whose  point  was  seeking  his 
throat  according  to  the  most  approved  rules  of  single 
combat. 

"  And  what  if  I  am  Arnaud's  man  ?  " 

As  he  said  this  the  yataghan  made  a  thorough  re- 
connoissance  of  all  the  vulnerable  parts  of  Amesa's 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          183 

body  from  the  fifth  rib  upwards,  followed  by  Amesa's 
dagger  in  ward. 

"  You  do  not  deny  it  ? "  said  the  Albanian  between 
breaths. 

"  I  deny  nothing.  Nor  need  I  confess  anything, 
since  you  say  I  am  known." 

"  Shall  we  be  friends  ? "  asked  Amesa,  cautiously 
lowering  his  arm. 

"  You  made  war,  and  can  withdraw  its  declaration. 
or  take  the  consequences,"  was  the  reply. 

The  two  men  put  up  their  weapons. 

"  So  good  a  soldier  as  you  are  should  not  be  here 
guarding  a  girl,"  said  Amesa. 

"  Guarding  a  girl  ?  "  said  the  man  in  amazement , 
but,  recollecting  himself,  added,  "  And  why  not  guard 
a  girl  ? " 

"  Come,"  replied  Amesa,  "you  and  I  can  serve  each 
other.  You  can  do  that  for  me  which  no  other  man 
can  ;  and  I  can  give  to  you  more  gold  than  any  other 
Albanian  can." 

"  And  when  you  are  king  of  Albania,  Prince  Amesa, 
you  can  reward  me  with  high  appointment,"  said  the 
stranger  with  a  slight  sneer,  which,  however,  Amesa 
did  not  notice,  at  the  moment  thinking  of  what  the 
stargeshina  had  said  of  the  man's  interest  in  the  move- 
ment against  his  uncle's  leadership. 

"  You  have  but  to  ask  your  reward  when  that  event 
comes,"  he  replied. 

"  I  will  swear  to  serve  Amesa  against  Scanderbeg 
to  the  death,"  said  the  man  offering  his  hand. 

"  You  know  the  girl's  true  story  ? "  asked  Amesa. 

"  Of  course,"  was  the  cautious  reply.  "  But  of  that  I 


184         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES, 

may  not  speak  a  word.  I  can  leave  his  service  whose 
man  you  say  I  am,  but  I  cannot  betray  anything  he 
may  have  told  me.  As  you  know  the  girl's  story  it  is 
needless  to  tempt  me  to  divulge  it,"  added  he,  with 
shrewd  non-committal  of  himself  to  any  information 
that  the  other  might  recognize  as  erroneous. 

"  You  speak  nobly  for  a  Servian,"  said  the  voivode. 

"  How  do  you  know  I  am  a  Servian  ? "  asked  the 
stranger. 

"  Partly  from  your  accent.  You  have  not  got  our 
pure  Albanian  tongue,  though  it  is  now  six  years  you 
have  been  talking  it.  And  then  Arnaud — Colonel 
Kabilovitsch — came  back  as  a  Servian.  Is  it  not  so  ? " 
asked  Amesa,  noticing  the  surprised  look  which  the 
mention  of  Kabilovitsch's  name  brought  to  the  man's 
face. 

For  a  while  the  stranger  was  lost  in  thought ;  but 
with  an  effort  throwing  off  a  sort  of  reverie,  he  said  : 

"  Pardon  my  silence.  I  have  been  thinking  of  your 
proposal.  May  I  follow  you  to  the  village  after  a  little? 
I  would  think  over  how  best  I  can  meet  your  proposi- 
tion, my  Prince  Amesa." 

"  I  will  await  you  at  the  konak.  But  first  let  us 
swear  friendship  !  "  said  the  voivode. 

"  Heartily  !  "  was  the  response.  "  With  Amesa  as 
against  Scanderbeg." 

"  You  will  induce  the  girl  to  go  with  me  to  my  castle. 
She  will  fare  better  there  than  here,  playing  Dodola  to 
these  ignorant  peasants." 

"  It  is  agreed." 

As  Amesa  disappeared,  the  man  sat  down  upon  a 
huge  root  of  a  tree,  which  for  lack  of  earth  had  twined 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          185 

itself  over  the  rock.  He  buried  his  face  in  his 
hands — 

"  Strange  !  strange  !  is  all  this.  Kabilovitsch  ?  the 
girl  ?  Not  my  little  playmate  on  the  Balkans — sweet 
faced  Morsinia.  The  Dodola  here  is  not  she.  If 
Uncle  Kabilovitsch  is  Colonel  Kabilovitsch,  or  this 
Arnaud  he  speaks  of,  then  this  treacherous  Amesa  is 
on  the  wrong  track.  Can  it  be  that  Constantine — dear 
little  Constantine — is  in  Albania,  and  that  I  am  mis- 
taken for  him  ?  No,  this  is  impossible.  But  still  I 
must  be  wary,  and  not  do  that  which  would  harm  a 
golden  hair  of  Morsinia's  head,  if  she  be  living,  or 
Constantine's,  or  Uncle  Kabilovitsch's.  There's  some 
mystery  here.  Only  one  thing  is  certain — Amesa 
mistakes  this  pretty  impudent  Dodola  girl  for  some- 
body else.  To  get  her  off  with  him  may  serve  that 
somebody  else  :  for  the  voivode  is  a  villain  :  that 
much  is  sure.  The  cursed  Giaour  serpent  !  I  will 
help  him  to  get  this  saucy  belle  of  the  hamlet,  and  so 
save  somebody  else,  whoever  she  may  be  who  is  the 
game  for  which  he  lays  his  snares." 

An  hour  later  the  Dodola,  whose  name  was  Elissa, 
passed  Amesa  and  blushed  deeply. 

The  family  at  whose  house  the  girl  was  living  made 
no  objection  to  Amesa's  request  that  she  should  be 
transferred  to  the  protection  of  the  voivode.  The 
elders  of  the  village  acquiesced  ;  for,  said  one, 

"  We  do  not  know  who  she  is,  and  may  get  into 
difficulty  through  harboring  her." 

Another  averred  his  belief  that  she  was  possessed  of 
the  evil  eye  ;  for  he  had  observed  her  staring  at  the 
olive  tree  the  day  before  it  was  struck  by  lightning  ; 


186         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

and  he  declared  that  half  the  young  men  of  the  ham- 
let were  bewitched  with  her. 

A  sharp-tongued  dame  remarked  that  some  of  the 
older  men  would  rather  listen  to  the  merry  tattle  of 
the  sprite  than  to  the  most  serious  and  wholesome 
counsel  of  their  own  wives. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

"  T^\O  you  know  the  mind  of  Gauton  who  commands 

JL/  at  the  citadel  in  Sfetigrade  ?"  asked  Amesa  of 
his  new  confederate,  as  they  parted. 

"  I  have  talked  with  him,"  replied  the  man.  "  He  is 
very  cautious." 

"  Discover  his  opinion  on  the  matter  of  my  advance- 
ment," said  Amesa. 

"  Send  him  some  gift,"  suggested  the  man,  "  I  will 
take  it  to  him.  He  is  very  fond  of  dogs,  and  I  learn 
that  he  has  just  lost  a  valuable  mastiff.  Could  you 
replace  it  from  your  kennels  at  the  castle  ? " 

"  No,  but  I  have  a  greyhound,  of  straight  breed 
since  his  ancestors  came  out  of  the  ark.  His  jaws 
are  as  slender  as  a  heron's  beak  :  chest  deep  as  a 
lion's  :  belly  thin  as  a  weasel's  :  a  double  span  of  my 
arms  from  tip  to  tail.  To-morrow  night  meet  me  at 
the  castle.  Should  I  not  have  arrived,  this  will  give 
you  admission,"  presenting  him  with  a  small  knife,  on 
the  bone  handle  of  which  was  a  rude  carving  of  the 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          187 

crest  of  Amesa.  "  Give  it  to  the  warden.  He  will 
recognize  it." 

Long  before  the  arrival  of  Amesa  and  Drakul  at  the 
castle  in  company  with  Elissa,  the  stranger,  whom  the 
reader  will  recognize  as  Captain  Ballaban  dressed  as 
an  Albanian  peasant,  had  been  admitted.  He  had 
wandered  about  the  court,  mounted  the  parapet, 
inspected  the  draw-bridge  and  portcullis,  clambered 
down  and  up  again  the  almost  precipitous  scarp  of  the 
rock,  and  asked  a  hundred  questions  of  the  servants 
regarding  the  paths  by  which  the'castle  was  approached. 
The  old  warden  entertained  him  with  stories  of 
Amesa's  early  life,  his  acquisition  of  the  estate,  and 
his  prowess  in  battle ;  in  all  of  which,  while  the 
warden  intended  only  the  praise  of  his  master,  he  dis- 
covered to  the  attentive  listener  all  the  weaknesses  of 
the  voivode's  character. 

Upon  Amesa's  arrival  late  in  the  day,  Ballaban 
avoided  much  intercourse  with  him,  except  in  relation 
to  the  selection  of  the  dog.  To  Elissa  he  gave  a  few 
words  of  advice,  to  the  effect  that  she  was  now  the 
object  of  the  young  lord's  adoration  ;  and  that,  in 
order  to  secure  her  advantage,  she  should  make  as 
much  as  possible  a  mystery  of  her  previous  life. 
With  this  council — which  was  as  much  as  he  dared  to 
venture  upon  in  his  own  ignorance  of  the  exact  part  he 
was  playing — Ballaban  departed,  leading  a  magnifi- 
cent hound  in  leash.  A  little  way  from  the  castle  he 
sat  down,  and  drawing  from  his  breast  a  roll  of  paper, 
added  certain  lines  and  comments,  as  he  muttered  to 
himself, — 

"  I  have  made  neater  drawings  than  this  for  old 


l88         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

Bestorf  in  the  school  of  the  Yeni-Tscheri,but  none  that 
will  please  the  Aga  more.  There  is  not  a  goat  path 
on  the  borders  that  I  have  not  got.  A  sudden  move- 
ment of  our  armies,  occupying  ground  here  and  here 
and  here,  where  I  have  blazed  the  trees,  would  hold 
this  country  against  Ivan  Beg  and  Scanderbeg.  And 
with  this  black-hearted  traitor,  Amesa,  in  my  fin- 
gers ! — Well !  Let's  see  !  I  will  force  him  into  open 
rebellion  against  Scanderbeg,  unless  he  is  deeper 
witted  than  he  seems.  But  which  plan  would  be  best 
in  the  long  run  ? — to  stir  up  a  feud  between  him  and 
Scanderbeg,  and  let  them  cut  each  other's  throats  ? 
Or,  inveigle  him  to  open  alliance  with  our  side,  under 
promise  of  being  made  king  of  Albania  ?  That  last 
would  settle  all  the  Moslem  trouble  with  these  Giaours. 
And  it  could  be  done.  The  Padishah  offered  Scan- 
derbeg the  country  on  condition  of  paying  a  nominal 
tribute,  and  would  offer  the  same  to  Amesa.  And 
Amesa  would  take  it,  though  he  had  to  become  Mos- 
lem. I  will  leave  these  propositions  with  the  Aga," 
said  he,  folding  up  the  papers,  and  putting  them  back 
into  his  bosom.  "  In  either  case  I  shall  keep  my  vow 
with  Amesa  to  help  him  against  Scanderbeg.  But 
the  devil  help  them  both  !  " 

Whistling  a  snatch  of  a  rude  tune,  part  of  which 
belonged  to  an  Albanian  religious  hymn  he  had  heard 
in  his  rambles,  and  part  to  a  Turkish  love  song — 
swinging  his  long  arms,  and  striding  as  far  at  each 
step  as  his  short  legs  would  allow  him,  he  went  down 
the  mountain. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         189 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

MT7HO  comes  here?"  cried  the  sentinel  at  the 

VV  bottom  of  the  steep  road  which  led  up  to  the 
gate  at  the  rear  of  the  town  of  Sfetigrade. 

The  man  thus  challenged  made  no  reply  except  to 
speak  sharply  to  a  large  hound  he  was  leading,  and 
which  was  struggling  to  break  away  from  him.  In  his 
engrossment  with  the  brute  he  did  not  seem  to  have 
heard  the  challenge.  As  he  came  nearer  the  sentinel 
eyed  him  with  a  puzzled,  but  half -comical  look,  as  he 
soliloquized, — 

"  Ah,  by  the  devil  in  the  serpent's  skin,  I  know  him 
this  time.  He  is  the  Albanian  Turk  we  were  nigh  to 
hamstringing.  If  I  mistake  that  red  head  again  it 
will  be  when  my  own  head  has  less  brain  in  it  than 
will  balance  it  on  a  pike-staff,  where  Colonel  Kabilo- 
vitsch  would  put  it  if  I  molested  this  fellow  again.  I'll 
give  him  the  pass  word,  instead  of  taking  it  from  him  ; 
that  will  make  up  for  past  mistakes." 

The  sentinel  saluted  the  new  comer  with  a  most 
profound  courtesy,  and,  shouldering  his  spear, 
marched  hastily  past  him,  ogling  him  with  a  sidelong 
knowing  look. 

"  Tako  mi  Marie  !  "  * 

"  Tako  mi  Marie  !  "  responded  the  man,  adding  to 
himself,  "  but  this  is  fortunate  ;  the  fellow  must  be 
crazy.  I  thought  I  should  have  had  to  brain  him  at 
least." 

*  Help  me,  Mary  ! 


19°  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

As  he  passed  by,  the  sentinel  stood  still,  watching 
him,  and  muttered, 

"  How  should  I  know  but  Castriot  himself  is  in  that 
dog's  hide." 

The  dog  turned  and,  attracted  by  the  soldier's  atti- 
tude, uttered  a  low  growl. 

"  Tako  mi  Marie  !  and  all  the  other  saints  in  heaven 
too,  but  I  believe  it  is  the  general  in  disguise,"  said 
the  sentinel. 

"  Tako  mi  Marie  !  "  said  the  stranger  saluting  the 
various  guards,  whom  he  passed  without  further 
challenge,  through  the  town  gates  and  up  to  the  main 
street. 

The  great  well,  from  which  the  beleaguered  inhabi- 
tants of  Sfetigrade  drew  the  only  water  now  access- 
ible, since  the  Turks  had  so  closely  invested  the  town, 
was  not  far  from  the  citadel.  It  was  very  deep, 
having  been  cut  through  the  great  layers  of  rock  upon 
which  the  upper  town  stood.  Above  it  was  a  great 
wheel,  over  the  outer  edge  of  which  ran  an  endless 
band  of  leather  ;  the  lower  end  dipping  into  the  water 
that  gleamed  faintly  far  below.  Leathern  sockets 
attached  to  this  belt  answered  for  buckets,  which,  as 
the  wheel  was  turned,  lifted  the  water  to  the  top, 
whence  it  ran  into  a  great  stone  trough.  The  well 
was  guarded  by  a  curb  of  stones  which  had  originally 
been  laid  compactly  together  ;  but  many  of  them  had 
been  removed,  and  used  to  hurl  down  from  the  walls 
of  the  citadel  upon  the  heads  of  the  Turks  when  they 
tried  to  scale  them. 

The  dog,  panting  with  the  heat,  mounted  one  of  the 
remaining  stones,  and  stretched  his  long  neck  far 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         191 

down  to  sniff  the  cool  water  which  glistened  a 
hundred  feet  below  him.  The  man  shouted  angrily 
to  the  beast,  and  so  clumsily  attempted  to  drag  him 
away  that  both  dog  and  stone  were  precipitated 
together  into  the  well. 

"  A  grapple  !  a  rope  !  "  shouted  the  man  to  a  crowd 
who  had  seen  the  accident  from  a  distance.  "  Will  no 
one  bring  one  ?  "  he  cried  with  apparent  anger  at  their 
slow  movements — "  Then  I  must  get  one  myself." 

The  crowd  rushed  toward  the  well.  The  man  dis- 
appeared in  the  opposite  direction. 

It  was  several  hours  before  the  dead  dog  was  taken 
from  the  polluted  water.  The  Dibrian  soldiers  refused 
to  drink  from  it.  The  superstition  communicated 
itself  like  an  epidemic,  to  the  other  inhabitants.  For 
a  day  or  two  bands  sallied  from  Sfetigrade,  and  brought 
water  from  the  plain  :  but  it  was  paid  for  in  blood, 
for  the  Turkish  armies,  aware  of  the  incident  almost 
as  soon  as  it  occurred,  drew  closer  their  lines,  and 
stationed  heavy  detachments  of  Janizaries  at  the 
springs  and  streams  for  miles  around.  The  horrors 
of  a  water-famine  were  upon  the  garrison.  In  vain 
did  the  officers  rebuke  the  insane  delusion.  The 
common  soldiers,  not  only  would  not  touch  the  water, 
but  regarded  the  accident  as  a  direct  admonition  from 
heaven  that  the  town  must  be  surrendered.  Appeals 
to  heroism,  patriotism,  honor,  were  less  potent  than  a 
silly  notion  which  had  grown  about  the  minds  of  an 
otherwise  noble  people — as  certain  tropical  vines 
grow  so  tough  and  in  such  gradually  lessening  spirals 
about  a  stalwart  tree  that  they  choke  the  ascending  sap 
and  kill  it.  They  who  would  have  drunk  were  pre- 


192         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

vented  by  the  others  who  covered  the  well  with  heavy 
pieces  of  timber,  and  stood  guard  about  it. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

IN  vain  did  Castriot  assault  the  Turks  who  were 
intrenched  about  the  wells  and  springs  in  the 
neighborhood.  Now  and  then  a  victory  over  them 
would  be  followed  by  a  long  procession  from  the  town, 
rolling  casks,  carrying  buckets,  pitchers,  leather  bottles 
and  dug-out  troughs.  The  amount  of  water  thus  pro- 
cured but  scarcely  sufficed  to  keep  life  in  the  veins  of 
the  defenders  :  it  did  not  suffice  to  nourish  heart  and 
courage.  It  was  foreseen  that  Sfetigrade  must  fall. 

Constantine  was  in  the  madness  of  despair  about 
Morsinia.  Her  fate  in  the  event  of  capture  was 
simply  horrible  to  contemplate.  Yet  she  could  hardly 
hope  to  make  her  way  through  the  Turkish  lines. 
Constantine  was  at  the  camp  with  Castriot  when  it 
was  announced  that  the  enemy  had  at  length  got  pos- 
session of  every  approach  to  the  town,  so  that  there 
was  no  communication  between  the  Albanians  within 
and  those  without,  except  by  signaling  over  the  heads 
of  the  Turks.  Castriot  determined  upon  a  final 
attack,  during  which,  if  he  should  succeed  in  uncover- 
ing any  of  the  gates  of  the  town,  the  people  might  find 
egress. 

Constantine  begged  to  be  allowed  the  hazardous 
duty  of  entering,  by  passing  in  disguise  through  the 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         193 

Turkish  army,  and  giving  the  endangered  people  the 
exact  information  of  Castriot's  purpose.  Taking 
advantage  of  his  former  experience,  he  donned  the 
uniform  of  a  Janizary,  easily  learned  the  enemy's  pass- 
word, and  at  the  moment  designated  to  the  besieged 
by  Castriot's  signal — just  as  the  lower  star  of  the 
Great  Dipper  disappeared  behind  the  cliff — he  emerged 
from  the  dense  shadows  of  an  angle  of  the  wall.  He 
was  scarcely  opposite  the  gate  when  the  drawbridge 
lowered  and  rose  quickly.  The  portcullis  was  raised 
and  dropped  an  instant  later,  and  he  was  within  the 
town. 

Throwing  off  his  disguise,  he  went  at  once  toward 
the  commandant's  quarters  to  deliver  despatches  from 
Castriot.  But  a  shout  preceded  him — 

"  The  destroyer  !  The  destroyer !  Death  to  the 
destroyer  !  " 

Multitudes,  awakened  by  the  shouting,  came  from 
the  houses  and  soldiers'  quarters.  Constantine  was 
seized  by  the  crowd,  who  yelled  : 

"  To  the  well  with  him  !  Let  the  dog's  soul  come 
into  him  !  " 

He  was  borne  along  as  helplessly  as  a  leaf  in  the 
foaming  cataract. 

"  To  the  well  !  To  the  well  with  the  poisoner ! " 

The  cry  grew  louder  and  shriller  ;  the  multitude 
maddening  under  the  intense  fury  of  their  mutual 
rage,  as  each  coal  is  hotter  when  many  glow  with  it  in 
the  fire.  Women  mingled  with  soldiers,  shrieking 
their  insane  vengeance,  until  the  crowd  surged  with 
the  victim  around  the  well.  The  planks  were  torn  off 
by  strong  hands.  The  horror  of  the  deed  they  were 


194         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

about  to  commit  made  them  pause.  Each  waited  for 
his  neighbor  to  assume  the  desperate  office  of  actually 
perpetrating  what  was  in  all  their  hearts  to  do. 

At  length  three  of  the  more  resolute  stepped  forward 
as  executioners  of  the  popular  will.  The  struggling 
form  of  Constantine  was  held  erect  that  all  might  see 
him.  Torches  waved  above  his  head.  One  stood 
upon  the  well  curb,  and,  dropping  a  torch  into  the 
dark  abyss,  cried  with  a  loud  voice — 

"  So  let  his  life  be  put  out  who  destroys  us  all !  " 

"  So  let  it  be  !  "  moaned  the  crowd  ;  the  wildness 
of  their  wrath  somewhat  subdued  by  the  impressive- 
ness  of  the  tragedy  they  were  enacting. 

The  well  hissed  back  its  curse  as  the  burning  brand 
sunk  into  the  water. 

But  a  new  apparition  burst  upon  the  scene.  Sud- 
denly, as  if  it  had  risen  from  the  well,  a  form  draped  in 
white  stood  upon  the  curb.  Her  long  golden  hair 
floated  in  the  strong  wind.  Her  face,  from  sickness 
white  as  her  robe,  had  an  unearthly  pallor  from  the 
excitement,  and  seemed  to  be  lit  with  the  white  heat  of 
her  soul.  Her  sunken  eyes  gave  back  the  flare  of  the 
torches,  as  if  they  gleamed  with  celestial  reprobation. 

"  The  Holy  Virgin  !  "  cried  some. 

"  One  of  the  Vili  !  "  cried  others. 

The  crowd  surged  back  in  ghostly  fear. 

"  Neither  saint  nor  sprite  am  I,"  cried  Morsinia. 
"  Your  own  wicked  hearts  make  you  fear  me.  It  is 
your  consciences  that  make  you  imagine  a  simple  girl 
to  be  a  vengeful  spirit,  and  shrink  from  this  horrid 
murder,  to  the  very  brink  of  which  your  ignorance  and 
wretched  superstition  have  led  you.  Blessed  Mary 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         195 

need  not  come  from  Heaven  to  tell  you  that  a  man — 
a  man  for  whom  her  Son  Jesu  died — should  not  be 
made  to  die  for  the  sake  of  a  dead  dog.  I,  a  child, 
can  tell  you  that." 

"  But  the  well  is  accursed  and  the  people  die,"  said 
a  monk,  throwing  back  his  cowl,  and  reaching  out  his 
hand  to  seize  her. 

"  And  such  words  from  you,  a  priest  of  Jesu  !  " 
answered  the  woman,  warding  him  off  by  the  scathing 
scorn  of  her  tones.  "  Did  not  Jesu  say,  '  Come  unto 
Me  and  drink,  drink  out  of  My  veins  as  ye  do  in  Holy 
Sacrament  ? '  Will  He  curse  and  kill,  then,  for  drink- 
ing the  water  which  you  need,  because  a  dog  has 
fallen  into  it  ?  " 

These  words,  following  the  awe  awakened  by  her 
unexpected  appearance,  stayed  the  rage  of  the  crowd 
for  a  moment.  But  soon  the  murmur  rose  again — 

"  To  the  well  !  " 

"  He  is  a  murderer  !  " 

"  It  is  just  to  take  vengeance  on  a  murderer  !  " 

The  woman  raised  her  hand  as  if  invoking  the  wit- 
ness of  Heaven  to  her  cause,  and  exclaimed — 

"  But  /  am  not  a  murderer.  A  curse  on  him  who 
slays  the  innocent.  I  will  be  the  sacrifice.  I  fear  not 
to  drink  of  this  well  with  my  dying  gasp.  Unhand 
the  man,  or,  as  sure  as  Heaven  sees  me,  I  shall  die  for 
him  !  " 

A  shudder  of  horror  ran  through  the  crowd  as  the 
light  form  of  the  young  woman  raised  itself  to  the  very 
brink  of  the  well.  It  seemed  as  if  a  movement,  or  a 
cry,  would  precipitate  her  into  the  black  abyss.  The 
crowd  was  paralyzed.  The  silence  of  the  dead  fell 


196         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

upon   them,   as    she   leaned   forward    for  the   awful 
plunge. 

Those  holding  Constantine  let  go  their  grip. 

At  this  moment  the  commandant  appeared.  He 
had,  indeed,  been  a  silent  witness  of  the  scene,  and 
was  not  unwilling  that  the  superstition  of  the  soldiers 
should  thus  have  a  vent,  thinking  that  with  the  sacri- 
fice of  the  supposed  offender  they  might  be  satisfied, 
and  led  to  believe  that  the  spirit  of  the  well  was 
appeased.  He  hoped  that  thus  they  might  be  induced 
to  drink  the  water.  But  he  recoiled  from  permitting 
the  sacrifice  of  this  innocent  person,  lest  it  should 
blacken  the  curse  already  impending. 

"  I  will  judge  this  case,"  he  cried.  "  Man,  who  are 
you  ? " 

"  I  bear  you  orders  from  General  Castriot,"  replied 
Constantine,  handing  him  a  document. 

By  the  light  of  a  torch  the  officer  read, 

"  In  the  event  of  being  unable  to  hold  out,  signal 
and  make  a  sally  according  to  directions  to  be  given 
verbally  by  the  bearer.  CASTRIOT." 

Turning  to  the  crowd,  the  commandant  addressed 
them. 

"  Brave  men  !  Epirots  and  Dibrians  !  We  are  being 
led  into  some  mistake.  My  message  makes  it  evident 
that  on  this  man's  life  depends  the  life  of  every  one  of 
us " 

His  voice  was  drowned  by  wild  cries  that  came 
from  a  distant  part  of  the  town.  The  cries  were 
familiar  enough  to  all  their  ears  ;  but  they  had 
heretofore  heard  them  only  from  beneath  the  walls 
without.  They  were  the  Turkish  cries  of  assault. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         197 

"  Allah  !  Allah  !  Allah  !  Allah  !  "  rolled  like  a  hurri- 
cane along  the  streets  of  Sfetigrade.  The  gates  had 
been  thrown  open  by  some  Dibrian,  whom  supersti- 
tion and  a  thirst-fevered  brain  had  transformed  into  a 
traitor. 

"  Quick  !  "  cried  Constantine.  "  Fire  three  powder 
flashes  from  the  bastion,  and  follow  me." 

"  Brave  girl !  "  said  he  to  Morsinia,  grasping  her 
hand  and  drawing  her  toward  the  citadel. 

"  It  is  too  late  !  "  replied  the  commandant.  "  All 
the  ports  are  occupied  by  the  enemy.  We  can  but 
die  in  the  streets." 

"  To  the  north  gate,  then  !  Burst  it  open,  and  cut 
your  way  to  the  east.  Castriot  will  meet  you  there. 
I  will  to  the  bastion." 

"  We  must  go  with  them,"  said  Morsinia.  "  Better 
die  in  the  streets  than  be  taken  here." 

"  No,  you  shall  not  die,  my  good  angel.  I  have 
prepared  for  this.  First,  I  will  fire  the  signal."  In  a 
few  seconds  three  flashes  illumined  the  old  battle- 
ments. 

Returning  to  Morsinia,  he  said  quietly,  "  I  have 
prepared  for  this,"  and  unwound  from  about  his 
body  a  strong  cord,  looped  at  intervals  so  that  it 
could  be  used  for  a  ladder.  Fastening  this  securely, 
he  dropped  the  end  over  the  wall.  Descending  part 
way  himself,  he  opened  the  loops  one  by  one  for  the 
feet  of  his  companion  ;  and  thus  they  reached  a 
narrow  ledge  some  twenty  feet  below  the  parapet. 
From  this  to  the  next  projection  broad  enough  to 
stand  upon,  the  rock  was  steep  but  slanting  ;  so  that, 
while  one  could  not  rest  upon  it,  it  would  largely 


198         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

overcome  the  momentum  of  the  descent.  Fastening 
a  cord  securely  beneath  the  arms  of  Morsinia,  he  let 
her  down  the  slope  to  the  lower  ledge.  Then,  tying 
the  rope  to  that  above,  he  descended  himself  to  her 
side.  From  this  point  the  path  was  not  dangerous  to 
one  possessed  of  perfect  presence  of  mind,  and  accus- 
tomed to  balance  the  body  on  one  foot  at  a  time. 
Thanks  to  her  mountain  life,  and  the  strong  stimu- 
lus to  brain  and  nerve  acquired  by  her  familiarity 
with  danger,  Morsinia  was  undizzied  by  the  elevation. 
Thus  they  wound  their  way  toward  the  east  side  of 
the  wall ;  and,  as  they  neared  the  base  of  the  cliff, 
sat  down  to  reconnoitre. 

Above  them  frowned  the  walls  of  the  citadel.  Just 
beneath  them  were  many  forms,  moving  like  spectres 
in  the  darkness  which  was  fast  dissolving  into  the 
gray  morning  twilight.  The  voices  which  came  up 
to  their  ears  proved  that  they  were  Turks.  For 
Morsinia  to  pass  through  them  without  detection 
would  be  impossible.  To  remain  long  where  they 
were  would  be  equally  fatal. 

But  their  anxiety  was  relieved  by  a  well  known 
bugle-call.  At  first  it  sounded  far  away  to  the  north. 

"  Iscanderbeg  !  Iscanderbeg  !  "  cried  the  Turks,  as 
they  were  deployed  to  face  the  threatening  assault. 
But  scarcely  had  they  formed  in  their  new  lines  when 
the  sound,  as  of  a  storm  bursting  through  a  forest, 
indicated  that  the  attack  was  from  the  south. 

Taking  the  Turks  who  were  still  outside  the  walls 
at  a  disadvantage,  Castriot's  force  made  terrible  havoc 
among  them,  sweeping  them  back  pell-mell  past  the 
eastern  front  and  around  the  northern,  so  as  to  leave 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         199 

the  north  gate  clear  for  the  escape  of  any  who  might 
emerge  from  it. 

-  But,  alas,  for  the  valor  of  the  commandant  and  the 
noble  men  who  followed  him  !  few  succeeded  in  cutting 
their  way  through  the  swarm  of  enemies  that  had 
already  occupied  the  streets  of  Sfetigrade. 

This  movement,  however,  enabled  Constantine  and 
Morsinia  to  descend  from  their  dangerous  eyrie.  The 
apparition  of  their  approach  from  that  direction  was  a 
surprise  to  the  general. 

"  Why,  man,  do  you  ride  upon  bats  and  night-hawks, 
that  you  have  flown  from  yonder  crag  ?  I  shall  hence- 
forth believe  in  Radisha  and  his  beautiful  demon. 
And  may  I  pray  thy  care  for  myself  in  battle,  my  fair 
lady  ? " 


CHAPTER    XXVII. 

fall  of  Sfetigrade,  while  a  material  loss  to  the 
1  Albanian  cause,  served  rather  to  exalt  than  to 
diminish  the  prestige  of  their  great  general.  The  fame 
of  Scanderbeg  brightened  as  the  gloomy  tidings  of  the 
fate  of  the  stronghold  spread  ;  for  that  event,  due  to 
a  circumstance  which  no  human  being  could  control, 
gave  his  enemies  their  first  success,  after  nearly  seven 
years  of  incessant  effort,  with  measureless  armaments, 
innumerable  soldiery  and  exhaustless  treasure. 

The  adversity  also  developed  in  Scanderbeg  new 
qualities  of  greatness,  both  military  and  moral.     As 


200         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

the  effort  to  drain  a  natural  spring  only  evokes  its 
fuller  and  freer  flow,  so  disappointment  augmented  his 
courage,  impoverishment  in  resources  enlarged  the 
scheme  of  his  projects,  and  the  defeat  of  one  plan  by 
circumstances  suggested  other  plans  more  novel  and 
shrewd.  The  sight  of  the  Turkish  ensign  floating 
from  the  citadel  of  Sfetigrade  disheartened  the  patriots. 
The  tramp  of  fresh  legions  from  almost  all  parts  of  the 
Moslem  world  was  not  so  ominous  of  further  disaster 
as  were  the  whispers  of  discontent  from  more  than 
one  who,  like  Amesa,  had  ambitions  of  their  own,  or, 
like  brave  Moses  Goleme,  were  discouraged  regarding 
ultimate  success.  But  the  great  heart  of  Castriot 
sustained  the  courage  of  his  people,  and  his  genius 
devised  plans  for  the  defence  of  his  land  which,  for 
sixteen  years  yet,  were  to  baffle  the  skill  and  weary  the 
energies  of  the  foe. 

The  chief  gave  orders  that  Morsinia,  having  eluded 
capture,  should  occupy  for  the  day  his  own  tent ;  for 
the  Albanian  soldiers,  as  a  rule,  were  destitute  of  the 
luxury  of  a  canvas  covering.  Returning  toward  the 
middle  of  the  morning,  and  having  need  to  enter,  he 
bade  Constantine  call  her.  No  response  being  given, 
Castriot  raised  the  curtain  of  the  tent.  Upon  a  rude 
matting,  which  was  raised  by  rough  boards  a  few 
inches  from  the  earth,  her  limbs  covered  with  an 
exquisitely  embroidered  Turkish  saddle  cloth,  Morsinia 
lay  asleep.  Her  neck  and  shoulders  were  veiled  with 
her  hair,  which,  rich  and  abundant,  fell  in  cascades  of 
golden  beauty  upon  the  ground. 

The  great  man  stood  for  a  moment  gazing  upon  the 
sleeping  girl.  His  ordinarily  immobile  features  relaxed. 


THE  CAPTAIN  QF  THE  JANIZARIES.          2OI 

His  face,  generally  passionless,  unreadable  as  that  of 
the  sphinx,  and  impressive  only  for  the  mystery  of  the 
thoughts  it  concealed,  now  became  suffused  with  kindly 
interest.  His  smile,  as  if  he  had  been  surprised  by 
the  fairness  of  the  vision,  was  followed  by  a  look  of 
fatherly  tenderness.  The  tears  shot  into  his  eyes  ;  but 
with  a  deep  breath  he  dropped  the  curtain,  and  turned 
away.  Of  what  was  he  thinking  ?  Of  little  Mara  Cer- 
noviche,  his  playmate  far  back  in  the  years  ?  or  of 
himself  during  those  years?  Strange  that  career 
among  the  Turks  !  and  equally  strange  all  the  years 
since  he  had  looked  upon  the  little  child  asleep  by  the 
camp  fire  at  the  foot  of  the  Balkans  !  One  who  gazed 
into  his  face  at  that  moment  would  have  discovered 
that  the  rough  warrior  spirit  was  an  outer  environment 
about  a  gentle  and  loving  nature. 

He  was  interrupted  by  officers  crowding  about  him, 
bringing  intelligence  of  the  enemy,  or  asking  questions 
relative  to  the  immediate  movements  of  their  own  com- 
mands. These  were  answered  in  laconic  sentences, 
each  one  a  flash  of  strategic  wisdom. 

In  the  first  leisure  he  put  his  hand  fondly  upon  Con- 
stantine's  head,  and  said  quietly  as  he  seated  himself 
upon  a  rock  near  the  tent  door — 

"Tell  me  of  last  night." 

As  Constantine  narrated  what  the  reader  is  already 
familiar  with,  dwelling  especially  upon  Morsinia's  part 
in  the  scene  at  the  well,  and  her  courage  in  the  descent 
from  the  wall,  Scanderbeg  exclaimed  eagerly — 

"  A  true  daughter  of  Musache  De  Streeses  and 
Mara  Cernoviche  !  The  very  impersonation  of  our 
Albania  !  Her  spirit  is  that  of  our  heroic  people,  fair 


202         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

as  our  lakes  and  as  noble  as  our  mountains  !  But 
these  scenes  are  too  rough  for  her.  Her  soul  is 
strong  enough  to  endure  ;  but  so  is  the  diamond 
strong  enough  to  keep  its  shape  and  lustre  amid  the 
stones  which  the  freshet  washes  together.  But  it  is 
not  well  that  it  should  be  left  to  do  so.  Besides,  the 
diamond's  strength  and  inviolable  purity  will  not  pre- 
vent a  robber  from  stealing  it.  There  are  envious 
eyes  upon  our  treasure.  We  had  better  have  our  dia- 
mond cut  and  set  and  put  away  in  a  casket  for  a  while. 
We  will  send  her  to  Constantinople.  There  she  will 
have  opportunity  to  gain  in  knowledge  of  the  world, 
and  in  the  courtly  graces  which  fit  her  princely  nature.'1 

"  Would  not  Italy  be  better  ? "  suggested  Constan- 
tine. 

"No,"  said  Scanderbeg.  "The  Italians  are  uncer- 
tain allies.  I  know  not  whom  to  trust  across  the  Adri- 
atic. But  Phranza,  the  chamberlain  at  Constantino- 
ple, is  a  noble  man.  I  knew  him  years  ago  when  I 
was  stationed  across  the  Bosphorus,  and  had  com- 
mitted to  me  nearly  all  the  Ottoman  affairs,  so  far  as 
they  affected  the  Greek  capital.  He  is  one  of  the  few 
Greeks  we  may  implicitly  trust.  And,  moreover,  he 
agrees  with  me  in  seeking  a  closer  alliance  between 
our  two  peoples.  If  the  Christian  power  at  Constan- 
tinople could  be  roused  against  the  Turk  on  the  east, 
while  we  are  striking  him  on  the  west,  we  could  make 
the  Moslem  wish  he  were  well  out  of  Europe.  But 
Italy  will  do  nothing." 

"  The  Holy  Father  can  help,  can  he  not  ? "  asked 
Constantine. 

"  The  Holy  Father  does  not  to-day  own  himself.  He 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         203 

is  the  mere  foot-ball  of  the  secular  powers,  who  kick  him 
against  one  another  in  their  strife.  No,  our  hope  is  in 
putting  some  life  into  the  old  Greek  empire  at  Con- 
stantinople. The  dolt  of  an  emperor,  John,  is  dead, 
thanks  to  Azrael  *  !  In  Constantine,  who  has  come  to 
the  throne,  Christendom  has  hope  of  something  bet- 
ter than  to  see  the  heir  of  the  empire  of  the  Caesars 
dancing  attendance  upon  Italian  dukes ;  seeking 
agreement  with  the  Pope  upon  words  of  a  creed  which 
no  one  can  understand  ;  and  demoralizing,  with  his 
uncurtained  harem,  the  very  Turk.  If  the  new  empe- 
ror has  the  sense  of  a  flea  he  will  see  that  the 
Moslem  power  will  have  Constantinople  within  a 
decade,  unless  the  nations  can  be  united  in  its  defence. 
I  would  send  letters  to  Phranza,  and  you  must  be  my 
envoy.  With  Morsinia  there,  we  shall  be  free  from 
anxiety  regarding  her ;  for  no  danger  threatens  her 
except  here  in  her  own  land — to  our  shame  I  say  it. 
A  Venetian  galley  touches  weekly  at  Durazzo,  and  sails 
through  the  Corinthian  gulf.  You  will  embark  upon 
that  to-morrow  night." 

"  But  Colonel  Kabilovitsch  ? "  inquired  Constan- 
tine. 

"  He  has  already  started  for  Durazzo,  and  will  make 
all  arrangements.  Nothing  is  needed  here  but  a 
comely  garment  for  Morsinia,  who  left  Sfetigrade  with 
a  briefer  toilet  than  most  handsome  women  are  will- 
ing to  make.  Colonel  Kabilovitsch  will  see  that  you 
are  provided  with  money  and  detailed  instructions  for 
the  journey." 

A  soldier  appeared  with  a  bundle.  "  A  rough  lady's 
*  The  death  angel. 


204         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

maid  !  "  said  the  general,   "  but  a  useful  one  I   will 
warrant." 

Unrolling  the  bundle,  it  proved  to  be  a  rich,  but 
plain,  dress,  donated  from  a  neighboring  castle. 

An  hour  later  Scanderbeg  held  Morsinia  by  both 
hands,  looking  down  into  her  eyes.  It  was  a  picture 
which  should  have  become  historic.  The  giant  form 
of  the  grim  old  warrior  contrasted  fully  with  that  of 
the  maiden,  as  some  gnarled  oak  with  the  flower  that 
grows  at  its  base. 

"  Keep  good  heart,  my  daughter,"  said  the  general, 
imprinting  a  kiss  upon  her  fair  brow. 

She  replied  with  loving  reverence  in  her  tone  and 
look,  "  I  thank  you,  Sire,  for  that  title  ;  for  the 
father  of  his  country  has  the  keeping  of  the  hearts  of 
all  the  daughters  of  Albania." 

It  were  difficult  to  say  whether  the  sweet  loveliness 
in  the  lines  of  her  face,  or  the  majesty  of  character 
and  superb  heroism  that  shone  through  them,  gave 
her  the  greater  fascination  as  she  added, 

"  If  Jesu  wills  that  among  strangers  I  can  best 
serve  my  country,  there  shall  be  my  home." 

"  But  you  will  not  long  be  among  strangers.  Your 
goodness  will  make  them  all  friends.  Beside,  God 
will  keep  such  as  you,  for  he  loves  the  pure  and  beau- 
tiful." 

Morsinia  blushed  as  she  answered, 

"  And  does  God  not  love  the  true  and  the  noble  ? 
So  he  will  keep  thee  and  Albania.     Does  not  the  sun 
send  down  her*  beams  as  straight  over  Constantino- 
ple as  over  Croia  ?  and  does  she  not  draw  the  mists  by  as 
*  In  Albanian  speech  the  sun  is  feminine. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         205 

short  a  cord  of  her  twisted  rays  from  the  Marmora  as 
from  the  Adriatic  ?  Then  God  can  be  as  near  us 
there  as  here  ;  and  our  prayers  for  thee  and  our  land 
will  go  as  speedily  to  the  Great  Heart  over  all.  The 
Blessed  Mary  keep  you,  Sire  !  " 

"  Ay,  the  Blessed  Mary  spake  the  blessing  through 
your  lips,  my  child,"  responded  Scanderbeg  as  he  lifted 
her  to  her  horse. 

Constantine  released  himself  from  the  general's 
hearty  embrace,  and  sprang  into  the  saddle  at  her  side. 
Preceded  and  followed  by  a  score  of  troopers  they  dis- 
appeared in  the  deep  shadows  of  a  mountain  path. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

DURAZZO  lies  upon  a  promontory  stretching  out 
into  the  Adriatic.  The  walls  which  surrounded  it 
at  the  time  of  our  story,  told,  by  the  weather-wear  of 
their  stones,  the  different  ages  during  which  they  had 
guarded  the  little  bay  that  lies  at  the  promontory's 
base.  A  young  monk,*  Barletius,  to  whom  Colonel 
Kabilovitsch  introduced  the  vogagers,  as  a  travelling 
companion  for  apart  of  their  journey,  pointed  out  the 
great  and  rudely  squared  boulders  in  the  lower  course 
of  masonry,  as  the  work  of  the  ancient  Corcyreans, 
centuries  before  the  coming  of  Christ.  The  upper 
courses,  he  said,  were  stained  with  the  blood  of  the 

*  Marinus  Barletius,  a  Latin  monk  of  the  time,  has  given  us  in 
his  chronicles,  the  most  extended  account  of  Scanderbeg. 


206          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

Greek  soldiers  of  Alexius,  when  the  Norman  Robert 
Guiscard  assaulted  the  place,  hundreds  and  hundreds 
of  years  ago. 

Indeed,  to  the  monk's  historic  imagination,  the  world 
seemed  still  wrapped  in  the  mists  of  the  older  ages ;  and, 
just  as  the  low  lying  haze,  with  its  mirage  effect,  con- 
torted the  rocks  along  the  shore  into  domes  and  pin- 
nacles, so  did  his  fancy  invest  every  object  with  the 
greatness  of  the  history  with  which  the  old  manu- 
scripts had  made  him  familiar. 

While  Morsinia  listened  with  a  strange  entertain- 
ment to  his  rhapsodic  narrations,  Constantine  was 
busy  studying  the  graceful  lines  of  the  Venetian  half- 
galley  that  lay  at  the  base  of  the  cliff,  and  upon  which 
they  were  to  embark  ;  her  low  deck,  cut  down  in  the 
centre  nearly  to  the  water's  edge  ;  her  sharp,  swan- 
necked  prow  raised  high  in  air,  and  balanced  by  the 
broad  elevation  at  the  stern  ;  the  lateen  sail  that, 
furled  on  its  boom,  hung  diagonally  against  the  slen- 
der mast ;  the  rows  of  holes  at  the  side,  through  which 
in  calm  weather  the  oars  were  worked  ;  the  gay  pen- 
nant from  the  mast-head,  and  the  broad  banner  at  the 
stern,  which  spread  to  the  light  breeze  the  Lion  of  St. 
Mark. 

They  were  soon  gliding  out  of  the  harbor  of  Dur- 
azzo,  at  first  under  the  regularly  timed  stroke  of  a 
score  of  oarsmen.  Rounding  the  promontory,  the  west 
wind  filled  the  sail ;  and,  careening  to  the  leeward,  the 
galley  danced  toward  the  south  through  the  light  spray 
of  the  billows  which  sung  beneath  the  prow  like  the 
strings  of  a  zither. 

Perhaps  it  was  this  music  of  the  waves — or  it  may 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         207 

have  been  that  the  wind  was  blowing  straight  across 
from  Italy  ;  or,  possibly,  it  was  the  beauty  of  the 
maiden  reclining  upon  the  cushioned  dais  of  the  stern 
deck — that  led  the  weather-beaten  sailing  master  to 
take  the  zither,  and  sing  one  after  another  of  Pe- 
trarch's love  songs  to  Laura.  Though  his  voice  was  as 
hoarse  as  the  wind  that  crooned  through  the  cordage, 
and  his  language  scarcely  intelligible,  the  flow  of  the 
melody  told  the  sentiment.  Constantine's  eyes  sought 
the  face  of  his  companion,  as  if  for  the  first  time  he  had 
detected  that  she  was  beautiful.  And  perhaps  for  the 
first  time  in  her  life  Morsinia  felt  conscious  that  Con- 
stantine  was  looking  at  her  ; — for  she  generally  with- 
stood his  gaze  with  as  little  thought  of  it  as  she  did 
that  of  the  sky,  or  of  Kabilovitsch.  Even  the  monk 
turned  his  eyes  from  the  magnificent  shores  of  Albania, 
with  their  beetling  headlands  and  receding  bays,  to 
cast  furtive  glances  upon  the  maiden. 

The  monk's  face  was  a  striking  one.  He  was  pale, 
if  not  from  holy  vigil,  from  pouring  over  musty  secu- 
lar tomes.  He  had  caught  the  spirit  of  the  revival  of 
learning  which,  notwithstanding  all  the  superstition  of 
ecclesiastics,  was  first  felt  in  the  cloisters  of  the 
church.  His  forehead  was  high,  but  narrow  ;  his 
eyes  mild,  yet  lustrous  ;  his  lower  features  almost 
feminine.  One  familiar  with  men  would  have  said, 
"  Here  is  a  man  of  patient  enthusiasm  for  things  intel- 
lectual, a  devotee  to  the  ideal.  He  may  be  a  philoso- 
pher, a  poet,  an  artist ;  but  he  could  never  make  a 
soldier,  a  diplomat,  or  even  a  lover,  except  of  the 
most  Platonic  sort.  Just  the  man  for  a  monk.  If  all 
monks  were  like  him,  the  church  would  be  enriched 


208          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

indeed  ;  but,  if  all  like  him  were  monks,  the  world 
would  be  the  poorer." 

Among  other  passengers  was  a  Greek  monk,  Gen- 
nadius.  This  man's  full  beard  and  long  curly  fore- 
locks hanging  in  front  of  his  ears,  were  in  odd  con- 
trast with  the  smooth  face  and  shaven  head  of  the 
Latin  monk.  Though  strangers,  they  courteously 
saluted  each  other.  However  sharp  might  be  the 
differences  in  their  religious  notions,  they  soon  felt 
the  fraternity  such  as  cultured  minds  and  great  souls 
realize  in  the  presence  of  the  sublimities  of  nature. 
They  studied  each  other's  faces  with  agreeable  sur- 
prise as  the  glories  about  them  drew  from  their  lips 
vivid  outbursts  of  descriptive  eloquence,  in  which, 
speaking  the  Latin  or  Greek  with  almost  equal  facility, 
they  quoted  from  the  classic  poets  with  which  they 
were  equally  familiar. 

As  the  galley  turned  eastward  into  the  Corinthian 
gulf  there  burst  upon  them  a  panorama  of  natural 
splendor  combined  with  classic  enchantment,  such  as 
no  other  spot  on  the  earth  presents.  The  mountainous 
shores  lay  about  the  long  and  narrow  sea,  like  sleeping 
giants  guarding  the  outflow  of  some  sacred  fountain. 
Back  of  the  northern  coast  rose,  like  waking  sentinels, 
the  Helicon  and  Parnassus,  towering  thousands  of 
feet  into  the  air  ;  their  tops  helmeted  in  ice  and  plumed 
with  fleecy  clouds.  The  western  sun  poured  upon  the 
track  of  the  voyagers  floods  of  golden  lustre  which 
lingered  on  the  still  waters,  flashed  in  rainbows  from 
the  splashing  oars,  gilded  with  glory  the  hither  slope 
of  every  projection  on  either  shore,  and  filled  the 
great  gorges  beyond  with  dark  purple  shadows. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  209 

As  Morsinia  reclined  with  her  head  resting  on  Con- 
stantine's  shoulder,  and  drank  in  the  gorgeous,  yet 
quieting,  scene,  the  two  monks  stood  with  uncovered 
heads  and,  half  embracing,  chanted  together  in  Greek 
one  of  the  oldest  known  evening  hymns  of  the  Chris- 
tian church.  In  free  translation,  it  ran  thus  : — 

"  O  Jesu,  the  Christ  !  glad  light  of  the  holy  ! 

The  brightness  of  God,  the  Father  in  heaven  ! 
At  setting  of  sun,  with  hearts  that  are  lowly, 
We  praise  Thee  for  life  this  day  Thou  hast'given." 

"  I  love  that  hymn,"  said  Gennadius,  "  because  it 
was  written  long  before  the  schism  which  rent  the 
Holy  Church  into  Latin  and  Greek." 

"  We  will  rejoice,  then,  that  by  the  inspiration  of  the 
Holy  Father,  Eugenius,  and  the  assent  of  your  patri- 
arch, the  wound  in  the  body  of  Christ  has,  after  six 
centuries,  at  last  been  healed,"  replied  Barletius. 

"  I  fear  that  the  healing  is  but  seeming,"  said  the 
Greek.  "  I  was  a  member  of  the  council  of  Florence, 
and  know  the  motives  of  the  men  who  composed  it,  and 
the  exact  meaning  of  the  agreement — which  means 
nothing.  Your  Pope  cares  not  a  scrap  of  tinsel  from 
his  back  for  the  true  Christian  dogma  ;  and  while  his 
ambition  led  him  to  desire  to  become  the  uniter  of 
Christendom,  his  own  bishops,  who  know  him  well, 
were  gathered  in  synod  at  Basil,  and  pronounced  him 
heretic,  perjurer  and  debauchee." 

"  But  you  Greeks  were  doubtless  more  honest,"  said 
Barletius,  with  a  tone  and  look  of  sarcasm. 

"  Humph  !  "  grunted  Gennadius,  walking  away  ;  but 
turning  about  quickly  he  added, 

"  How  could  we  be  honest  when,  for  the  sake  of  the 


210          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

union,  we  assented  to  a  denial  of  our  most  sacred  dog- 
mas by  allowing  the  Filioque  ?*  It  is  not  in  the  power 
of  men  living  to  change  the  truth  as  expressed 
through  all  past  ages  in  the  creed  of  the  true 
church.  Our  emperor  yielded  the  points  to  the 
Latins  ;  but  holy  Mark  of  Ephesus  and  Prince 
Demetrius,  our  emperor's  brother,  did  not.  They  re- 
tired in  disgust  from  Italy.  Why,  the  very  dog  of 
the  emperor,  that  lay  on  his  foot-cloth,  scented  the 
heresy  to  which  his  master  was  about  to  subscribe,  and 
protested  against  the  sacrilege  by  baying  throughout 
the  reading  of  the  act  of  union.  And  I  learn  that 
the  clergy  and  populace  at  Byzantium  are  foaming 
with  rage  at  this  impiety  of  our  Latinizing  emperor. 
I  am  hasting  thither  that  I  may  utter  my  voice,  too, 
in  my  cell  in  prayer,  and  from  the  pulpit  of  St.  Sophia, 
against  the  unholy  alliance." 

"  Yet,"  said  Barletius,  with  scorn,  "  your  emperor 
and  church  authorities  subscribed.  What  sort  of  a 
divine  spirit  do  you  Greeks  possess,  that  prompts  you 
to  confess  what  you  do  not  believe  ? " 

"  I  feel  your  taunt,"  replied  Gennadius.  "  It  is 
both  just  and  unjust.  Have  not  some  of  your  own 
prelates  lately  taught  that  the  end  justifies  the  means  f 
The  union,  though  wrong  in  itself,  was  justified — 
according  to  Latin  ethics — by  the  result  to  be  secured, 
the  safety  of  both  Greek  and  Latin  churches  from 
being  conquered  by  the  Turks.  Our  Eastern  empire, 
the  glory  of  the  later  Caesars,  has  already  become 

*  Filioque  ;  "  and  the  Son. "  The  Latin  Church  holds  that  the 
Holy  Spirit  proceeds  from  the  Father  and  the  Son.  The  Greeks 
deny  the  latter  part  of  the  proposition. 


THE  CA  P  TA  IN  OF  THE  JA  NIZA  RIES.          2 1 1 

reduced  to  the  suburbs  of  Byzantium.  The  empire 
of  Justinian  and  Theodosius  has  not  to-day  ten  thou- 
sand soldiers  to  withstand  the  myriads  of  the  Sultan. 
There  must  be  union.  We  must  have  soldiers,  even  if 
we  buy  them  with  the  price  of  an  article  of  the  creed 
— nay  the  loan  of  the  article — for  the  union  will  not 
stand  when  danger  has  passed.  Conscience  alone  is 
one  thing  :  conscience  under  necessity — I  speak  the 
ethics  of  you  Latins — is  another  thing.  But  I  abhor 
the  deceit.  Your  bishop,  whom  you  call  Pope,  has  no 
reverence  from  our  hearts,  though  we  were  to  kiss  his 
toe.  You  are  idolaters  with  your  images  of  Mary  and 
the  saints.  Filioque  is  a  lie  !  "  cried  the  Greek,  giving 
vent  to  his  prejudice  and  spite. 

Barletius  in  the  meantime  had  felt  other  emotions 
than  the  holiest  being  kindled  within  him  by  these  hot 
words  of  his  companion  ;  and  when  the  Greek  had 
flashed  his  unseemly  denunciation  at  Filioque,  the 
Latin's  soul  burst  in  responsive  rage.  But  he  was  not 
accustomed  to  harsh  debate.  Words  were  consumed 
upon  his  hot  lips,  or  choked  in  his  fury-dried  throat. 
His  frame  trembled  with  the  pent  wrath.  His  hands 
clenched  until  the  nails  cut  into  the  flesh.  But  alas 
for  the  best  saintship,  if  temptation  comes  before  can- 
onization !  The  thin  hand  was  raised,  and  it  fell  upon 
the  holy  brother's  face.  The  blow  was  returned. 
But  neither  of  them  had  been  trained  to  carnal  strife, 
nor  had  they  the  skill  and  strength  to  do  justice 
to  their  noble  rage.  Constantine,  who  leaped  forward 
to  act  as  peace-maker,  stopped  to  laugh  at  the  strange 
pose  of  the  antagonists  ;  for  the  Greek  had  valiantly 
seized  the  cowl  of  the  Latin,  and  drawn  it  down  over 


212         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

his  face  ;  while  Barletius'  thin  fingers  were  wrig- 
gling through  Gennadius'  beard,  and  both  were  pranc- 
ing as  awkwardly  as  one-day-old  calves  about  the  nar- 
row deck,  with  the  imminent  prospect  of  cooling  their 
spirits  by  immersion  in  the  water. 

The  presence  of  this  danger  led  Constantine  to 
separate  the  scufflers  ;  although  his  laughter  at  the  con- 
testants had  made  his  limbs  almost  as  limp  as  theirs. 
The  ecclesiastical  champions  stood  glaring  their  celes- 
tial resentment,  the  one  white,  the  other  red,  like  two 
statues  of  burlesque  gladiators  carved  respectively  in 
marble  and  prophyry. 

The  conflict  might  have  been  renewed  had  not 
Morsinia  risen  from  her  cushion,  and  approached 
them.  But  no  sooner  did  Gennadius  realize  the  dan- 
ger of  having  so  much  as  his  gown  touched  by  a 
woman,  than  he  bolted  to  the  other  end  of  the  galley, 
and  sat  down,  with  fright  and  shame,  upon  a  coil  of 
ropes.  The  Greek  had  been  trained  at  the  monastery 
on  Mount  Athos.  From  that  masculine  paradise  the 
fair  daughters  of  Eve  were  as  carefully  excluded  as  if 
they  were  still  the  agents  of  Satan,  and  sent  by  the 
devil  to  work  the  ruin  of  those  who,  by  lofty  medita- 
tion and  unnatural  asceticism,  would  return  to  the 
pre-marital  Adamic  state  of  innocence.  During 
the  long  twilight,  and  when  the  night  left  only  the 
outlines  of  the  mountains  sharply  defined  high  up 
against  the  star-lit  sky,  Gennadius  still  sat  motionless; 
his  legs  crossed  beneath  him  ;  his  head  dropped  upon 
his  bosom.  He  gave  no  response  to  the  salutation  of 
the  attendant  who  brought  him  the  evening  meal  :  nor 
would  he  touch  it.  When  the  sailors  sung  the  songs 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         213 

whose  melody  floated  over  the  sea,  keeping  time  to 
the  cadences  of  the  light  waves  which  bent  but  did 
not  break  the  surface,  the  monk  put  his  fingers  into 
his  ears.  He  tried  to  drive  out  worldly  thoughts  by 
recalling  those  precepts  of  an  ancient  saint  which,  for 
four  hundred  years,  had  been  prescribed  at  Mount 
Athos  for  those  who  would  quiet  their  perturbed  souls 
and  rise  into  the  upper  light  of  God.  They  were 
such  as  these.  "  Seat  thyself  in  a  corner  ;  raise  thy 
mind  above  all  things  vain  and  transitory  ;  recline  thy 
beard  and  chin  upon  thy  breast ;  turn  thy  eyes  and 
thoughts  toward  the  middle  of  thy  belly,  the  region  of 
the  navel  ;  and  search  the  place  of  the  heart,  the  seat 
of  the  soul,  which  when  discovered  will  be  involved 
in  a  mystic  and  ethereal  light." 

Barletius,  equally  chagrined  by  his  display  of  temper 
before  the  laity,  sought  relief  by  inflicting  upon  him- 
self a  task  of  Pater  Nosters,  which  he  tallied  off  on 
his  beads,  made  of  olive-wood  and  sent  him  by  a 
learned  monk  at  Bethlehem. 

When  his  punishment  seemed  accomplished,  Morsi- 
nia  asked  him, 

"  Good  father,  why  did  you  quarrel  with  the 
stranger  ? " 

Barletius  entered  into  a  long  explanation  of  the 
faith  of  the  Roman  Church  at  the  point  challenged  by 
the  Greek. 

"  I  understand  your  words,"  said  Morsinia,  "  but  I 
do  not  understand  their  meaning." 

"  It  is  not  necessary  that  you  should,  my  child.  If 
Holy  Church  understands,  it  is  enough.  A  child  may 
not  understand  all  that  the  mother  knows;  yet  believes 


214         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

the  mother's  word.  So  should  you  believe  what 
Mother  Church  says." 

"  I  would  believe  every  word  that  Mother  Church 
speaks,  even  though  I  do  not  understand  why  she 
speaks  it,"  said  Morsinia  reverently.  "  But  how  can 
one  believe  another's  words  when  one  does  not  know 
what  they  mean  ;  when  they  give  no  thought  ?  Now 
what  you  say  about  the  '  procession  of  the  spirit/  and 
the  '  begetting  of  the  Son,'  I  do  not  get  any  clear 
thought  about  ;  and  how  then  can  I  believe  it  in  my 
heart." 

The  monk  cast  a  troubled  look  upon  the  fair 
inquirer,  and  replied — 

"  Then  you  must  simply  believe  in  Holy  Church 
which  believes  the  truth." 

"  And  say  I  believe  the  creed,  when  I  only  believe 
that  the  Church  believes  the  creed  ?  "  queried  the  girl. 

"  It  is  enough.  Happy  are  you  if  you  seek  to  know 
no  more.  Beware  of  an  inquisitive  mind.  It  leads  one 
astray  from  truth,  as  a  wayward  disposition  soon 
departs  from  virtue.  Credo  !  Credo  !  Credo  !  Help 
thou  mine  unbelief  !  should  be  your  prayer.  Restrain 
your  thoughts  as  the  helmsman  yonder  keeps  our  prow 
on  the  narrow  way  we  are  going.  How  soon  you 
would  perish  if  you  should  attempt  to  find  your  way 
alone  out  there  on  the  deep  !  Woe  to  those  who,  like 
these  wretched  Greeks,  depart  from  truth,  and  teach 
men  so.  Anathema,  Maranatha  !  " 

"  But,  tell  me,  good  father,  can  that  be  necessary  to 
be  believed,  about  which  whole  nations,  like  the 
Greeks,  differ  from  other  nations,  like  the  Latins  ?  I 
have  seen  Greeks  at  their  worship,  and  bowed  with 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         215 

them,  and  felt  that  God  was  near  and  blessing  us  all. 
And  I  have  heard  them  say,  when  they  were  dying, 
that  they  saw  heaven  open  ;  and  they  reached  out 
their  arms  to  be  taken  by  the  angels.  Does  not  Jesu 
save  them,  though  they  may  err  about  that  which  we 
trust  to  be  the  truth  ?" 

"  My  child,  you  must  not  think  of  these  things," 
said  Barletius  kindly.  "  It  is  better  that  you  sleep 
now.  The  air  is  growing  chill.  Wrap  your  cloak 
closely  even  beneath  the  deck." 

He  walked  away,  repeating  a  line  from  Virgil  as  he 
scanned  the  star-gemmed  heavens. 

"  Suadentque  cadentia  sidera  somnos." 

Wrapping  his  hood  close  over  his  face,  he  lay  down 
upon  the  deck. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

TWO  new  comers  joined  the  party  at  Corinth,  where, 
crossing  the  isthmus  on  horses,  they  re-embarked. 
One  was  Giustiniani,  a  Genoese,  of  commanding  form 
and  noble  features,  the  very  type  of  chivalric  gentil- 
ity,'bronzed  by  journeyings  under  various  skies,  and 
scarred  with  the  memorials  of  heroic  soldiership  on 
many  fields.  The  other  was  a  Dacian,  short  of  stat- 
ure, with  broad  and  square  forehead,  and  a  crooked 
neck  which  added  to  the  sinister  effect  of  his  squint- 
ing eyes. 
"  Well,  Urban,"  said  the  Genoese,  "  you  still  have 


216  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

confidence  in  your  new  ordnance,  and  think  that  salt- 
petre and  charcoal  are  to  take  the  place  of  the  sword, 
and  that  every  lout  who  can  strike  a  fire  will  soon  be 
a  match  for  a  band  of  archers  : — Eh  !  " 

"  Yes,  Sire,  and  if  the  emperor  would  only  allow  me 
a  few  hundred  ducats,  I  would  cast  him  a  gun  which, 
from  yonder  knoll,  would  heave  a  stone  of  five  talents'* 
weight,  and  crash  through  any  galley  ever  floated 
from  the  docks  of  Genoa  or  Venice.  Four  such  guns 
on  either  side  would  protect  this  isthmus  from  a  fleet. 
But,  I  tell  you,  noble  Giustiniani,  that  without  taking 
advantage  of  our  new  science,  the  emperor  cannot 
hold  out  long  against  the  Turk.  The  Turk  is  using 
gunpowder.  He  is  willing  to  learn,  and  has  already 
learned,  what  the  emperor  will  find  out  to  his  cost, 
that  the  walls  of  Constantinople  itself  cannot  long 
endure  the  battering  of  heavy  cannon." 

"You  are  right,  Urban,"  replied  the  Genoese. 
"  The  Turk  is  also  ahead  of  us  in  the  art  of  approach- 
ing citadels.  I  have  no  doubt  that  his  zigzag  trenchesf 
give  the  assailant  almost  equality  with  the  besieged  in 
point  of  safety.  I  will  gladly  use  my  influence  at  the 
court  of  Byzantium  in  behalf  of  your  scheme  for 
founding  large  cannon,  Urban ;  if,  perchance,  the 
defence  of  the  empire  may  receive  a  tithe  of  the  treas- 
ure now  squandered  in  princely  parades  and  useless 
embassages." 

The  galley  glided  smoothly  through  the  little  gulf 
of  ^Egina,  with  its  historic  bays  of  Eleusis  and  Sala- 

*  A  modern  Greek  talent  weighs  125  English  pounds. 
f  The  present  art  of  "  slow  approach  "  was  an  invention  of  the 
Turks. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         217 

mis.  Giustiniani  and  Urban  discussed  the  disposition 
of  the  Greek  and  Persian  fleets  during  the  ancient 
fight  at  Salamis,  as  they  moved  under  the  steep  rocky 
hill  on  which  Xerxes  sat  to  witness  the  battle.  They 
soon  rounded  the  headland,  opposite  the  tomb  of 
Themistocles,  and  anchored  in  the  harbor  of  the 
Piraeus. 

This  port  of  Athens  was  crowded  with  shipping. 
There  were  Spanish  galleasses  like  floating  castles, 
with  huge  turrets  at  stem  and  stern,  rowed  by  hun- 
dreds of  galley  slaves.  Other  vessels  of  smaller  size 
floated  the  standard  of  France.  Those  of  the  mari- 
time cities  of  Italy  vied  with  one  another  in  the  exquis- 
ite carving  of  their  prows  and  the  gaiety  of  their  ban- 
ners. 

The  chief  attention  was  centred  upon  a  splendid 
galley  of  Byzantium,  whose  deck  was  covered  with 
silken  awnings,  beneath  which  a  band  of  music  floated 
sweet  strains  over  the  waters.  This  was  the  vessel  of 
the  imperial  chamberlain,  Phranza,  who,  having  been 
entertained  in  Athens  with  honors  befitting  his  dig- 
nity, was  now  about  to  return  to  Constantinople. 

Giustiniani  ordered  his  galley  alongside  of  that  of 
the  chamberlain,  by  whom  he  was  received  with  distin- 
guishing favors.  Constantine  took  this  opportunity  to 
deliver,  through  the  Genoese,  Scanderbeg's  letters  to 
Phranza.  They  were  read  with  evident  gratifica- 
tion by  the  chamberlain.  With  a  hearty  welcome,  not 
devoid  of  some  curiosity  on  his  part,  as  he  scrutinized 
the  appearance  of  the  strangers,  he  invited  Constan- 
tine and  his  companion  to  complete  their  journey  in 
his  galley. 


2l8         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

Morsinia  was  at  first  as  much  dazed  by  the  splendor, 
as  she  was  mortified  by  her  ignorance  of  the  formali- 
ties, with  which  she  was  received.  But  the  natural 
dignity  of  her  bearing  stood  her  in  good  stead  of  more 
courtly  graces  :  for  these  modern  Greeks  emulated 
those  of  ancient  times  in  the  reverence  they  paid  to 
womanly  beauty.  The  chamberlain  was  somewhat 
past  middle  life.  He  was  a  man  whose  studious  habits, 
as  the  great  historian  of  his  times,  did  not  dull  his 
brilliancy  as  the  master  of  etiquette.  Nor  had  his 
astuteness  as  a  statesman  been  acquired  by  any  sacri- 
fice of  his  taste  for  social  intrigues.  The  diversions 
from  the  cares  of  state,  which  other  great  men  have 
found  at  the  gaming-table  or  in  their  cups,  Phranza 
sought  in  studying  the  mysteries  of  female  character  ; 
admiring  its  virtues,  and  yet  not  averse  to  finding  en- 
tertainment in  its  foibles.  A  true  Greek,  he  believed 
that  physical  beauty  was  the  index  of  the  rarer  qualities 
of  mind  and  heart.  He  would  have  been  a  consenting 
judge  at  the  trial  of  that  beautiful  woman  in  the  classic 
story,  the  perfection  of  whose  unrobed  form  dis- 
proved the  charge  of  her  crime.  He  was  such  an 
ardent  advocate  of  the  absolute  authority  of  the 
emperor  that,  though  of  decided  aristocratic  tend- 
encies, he  held  that  no  marriage  alliance,  however 
high  the  rank  of  the  bride,  could  add  to  the  dignity 
of  the  throne  :  indeed,  that  beauty  alone  could 
grace  the  couch  of  a  king  ;  that  the  first  of  men  should 
wed  the  fairest  of  women,  and  thus  combine  the  aris- 
tocracy of  rank  with  the  aristocracy  of  nature.  He 
had  frequent  opportunities  to  express  his  peculiar 
views  on  this  subject ;  for,  among  the  problems  which 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          219 

then  perplexed  his  statecraft,  was  that  of  the  marriage 
of  the  emperor — that  the  succession  might  not  be  left 
to  the  hazard  of  strife  among  the  families  of  the  blood 
of  the  Palaeologi.  Had  the  choice  of  the  royal  spouse 
been  left  entirely  in  his  hands,  he  would  have  made  the 
selection  on  no  other  principle  than  that  adopted  by 
the  purveyor  of  plumage  for  the  court,  who  seeks  the 
rarest  colors  without  regard  to  the  nesting-place  of 
the  bird. 

The  genuine  politeness  of  the  courtier,  together  with 
Morsinia's  womanly  tact  in  adapting  herself  to  her  new 
environment,  soon  relieved  her  from  the  feeling  of  re- 
straint, and  the  hours  of  the  voyage  passed  pleasantly 
Her  conversation,  which  was  free  from  the  convention- 
alities of  the  day,  was,  for  this  very  reason,  as  refreshing 
to  Phranza  as  the  simple  forms  of  nature — the  mountain 
stream,  the  tangles  of  vines  and  wild  flowers — are  to  the 
habitues  of  cities.  There  was  a  native  poetry  in  her 
diction,  an  artlessness  in  her  questions,  and  a  trans- 
parent honesty  in  her  responses.  Indeed,  her  very 
manner  unveiled  the  features  of  so  exalted  and  healthy 
a  mind,  of  a  disposition  so  frank  and  ingenuous,  of  a 
character  so  delicately  pure  and  exquisitely  beautiful, 
that  they  compensated  many  fold  any  lack  of  artificial 
culture.  The  great  critic  of  woman  forgot  to  study 
her  face  :  he  only  gazed  upon  it.  He  ceased  to  analyze 
her  character  :  he  simply  felt  her  worth. 

But  no  fairness  of  a  maiden,  be  she  Albanian  or 
Greek,  can  long  monopolize  the  attention  of  an  elderly 
man  whose  swift  vessel  bears  him  through  the  cluster- 
ing glories  of  the  ^Egean.  Nor  could  any  awe  for  his 
rank,  or  interest  in  his  learned  conversation,  absorb 


220         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

Morsinia  from  these  splendors  which  glowed  around 
her.  They  gazed  in  silence  upon  the  smooth  and 
scarcely  bending  sea,  which,  like  a  celestial  mirror, 
reflected  all  the  hues  of  the  sky — steely  blue  dissolv- 
ing into  softest  purple  ;  white  mists  transfused  by 
sunset's  glow  into  billows  of  fire  ;  monolithic  islands 
flashing  with  the  colors  of  mighty  agates  in  the  pris- 
matic air  ;  clouds  white  as  snow  and  clear  cut  as 
diamonds,  lifting  themselves  from  the  horizon  like  the 
"  great  white  throne"  that  St.  John  saw  from  the  cliffs 
of  Patmos  yonder. 

Crossing  the  ^Egean,  the  voyagers  hugged  the  old 
Trojan  coast  until  off  the  straits  of  the  Hellespont. 
They  lay  during  a  day  under  the  lee  of  Yeni  Sheyr 
shoals,  and  at  night  ran  the  gauntlet  of  the  new  Turkish 
forts,  Khanak-Kalesi  and  Khalid-Bahar,  at  the 
entrance  to  the  Sea  of  Marmora.  Two  days  later  there 
broke  upon  the  view  that  most  queenly  of  cities, 
Byzantium,  reclining  upon  the  tufted  couch  of  her 
seven  hills,  by  the  most  lovely  of  seas,  like  a  nymph 
beside  her  favorite  fountain.  The  galley  glided  swiftly 
by  the  "  Seven  Towers,"  which  guard  on  Marmora 
the  southern  end  of  the  enormous  triple  wall.  The 
bastions  and  towers  of  this  famous  line  of  defenses  cut 
their  bold  profile  against  the  sky  for  a  distance  of  five 
or  six  miles  in  a  straight  line,  until  the  wall  met  the 
extremity  of  the  Golden  Horn  on  the  north  ;  thus 
making  the  city  in  shape  like  a  triangle — the  base  of 
gigantic  masonry  ;  the  sides  of  protecting  seas. 

Gay  barges  and  kaiks  shot  out  from  the  shore  to 
form  a  welcoming  pageant  to  the  returning  chamber- 
lain. With  easy  oars  they  drifted  almost  in  the 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         221 

shadows  of  the  cypress  trees  which  lined  the  bank  and 
hid  the  residences  of  wealthy  Greek  merchants  and 
the  pavilions  of  princes.  The  lofty  dome  of  St.  Sophia 
flashed  its  benediction  upon  the  travelers,  and  its 
challenge  of  a  better  faith  far  across  the  Bosphorus  to 
the  Asiatic  Moslem,  whose  minarets  gleamed  like 
spear-heads  from  beside  their  mosques.  From  the 
point  where  the  Golden  Horn  meets  the  strait  of  the 
Bosphorus  and  the  sea  of  Marmora,  rose  the  palace  of 
the  emperor,  embowered  in  trees,  and  surrounded 
with  gardens  which  loaded  the  air  with  the  perfume 
of  rarest  flowers  and  the  song  of  birds.  Rounding 
the  point  into  the  Golden  Horn,  the  grim  old  Genoese 
tower  of  Galata,  on  the  opposite  bank,  saluted  them 
with  its  drooping  banner.  They  dropped  anchor  in 
the  lovely  harbor.  Strong  arms  with  a  few  strokes 
sent  the  tipsy  kaiks  from  the  galley  through  the 
rippling  water  to  the  landing.  An  elegant  palanquin 
brought  the  wife  of  Phranza  to  meet  her  lord. 
Another,  which  was  designed  for  the  chamberlain,  he 
courteously  assigned  to  Morsinia  ;  while  Constantine 
and  the  gentlemen  of  the  suite  mounted  the  gaily 
caparisoned  horses  that  were  in  readiness.  The  cham- 
berlain insisted  upon  Morsinia  and  Constantine 
becoming  his  guests,  at  least  until  their  familiarity 
with  the  city  should  make  it  convenient  for  them  to 
reside  elsewhere. 


222         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

HP  HE  house  of  Phranza  was  rather  a  series  of  houses 
1  built  about  a  square  court,  in  which  were  par- 
terres of  rarest  plants,  divided  from  each  other  by 
walks  of  variegated  marble,  and  moistened  by  the 
spray  of  fountains. 

Morsinia's  palanquin  was  let  down  just  within  the 
gateway.  A  young  woman  assisted  her  to  alight,  and 
conducted  her  to  apartments  elegantly  furnished  with 
all  that  could  please  a  woman's  eye,  though  she  were 
the  reigning  beauty  of  a  court,  instead  of  one  brought 
up  as  a  peasant  in  a  distant  province,  and  largely 
ignorant  of  the  arts  of  the  toilet.  She  was  bewildered 
with  the  strangeness  of  her  surroundings,  and  sat  down 
speechless  upon  the  cushion  to  gaze  about  her.  Was 
she  herself  ?  It  required  the  remembrance  that  Con- 
stantine  was  somewhere  near  her  to  enable  her  to 
realize  her  own  identity,  and  that  she  had  not  been 
changed  by  some  fairy's  wand  into  a  real  princess. 

"  Will  my  lady  rest  ?  "  said  the  attendant,  in  softest 
Greek. 

Morsinia  was  familiar  with  this  language,  which  was 
used  more  or  less  everywhere  in  Servia  and  Albania  ; 
but  she  had  never  heard  it  spoken  with  such  sweetness. 
The  words  would  have  been  restful  to  hear,  though 
she  had  not  understood  their  meaning.  Without 
hesitation  she  resigned  herself  to  the  hands  of  the 
servant,  who  relieved  her  of  her  outer  apparel. 
Another  maiden  brought  a  tray  of  delicate  wafers  of 
wheat,  and  flasks  of  light  wine,  with  figs  and  dates. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         223 

A  curtain  in  the  wall,  being  drawn,  exposed  the  bath  ; 
a  great  basin  of  mottled  marble,  and  a  little  fountain 
scattering  a  spray  scented  with  roses. 

Morsinia  began  to  fear  that  she  had  been  mistaken 
for  some  great  lady,  whose  wardrobe  was  expected  to 
be  brought  in  massive  chests,  and  whose  personal  orna- 
ments would  rival  the  toilet  treasures  of  the  Queen  of 
Sheba.  There  entered  opportunely  several  tire-women, 
laden  with  silks  and  linens,  laces  and  shawls,  every 
portion  of  female  attire,  in  every  variety  of  color  and 
shape — from  the  strong  buskin  to  the  gauze  veil  so 
light  that  it  will  hide  from  the  eye  less  than  it  reveals 
to  the  imagination. 

The  guest  was  about  to  question  her  attendants, 
when  one  gave  her  a  note,  hastily  written  by  Constan- 
tine,  and  simply  saying — 

"  Be  surprised  at  nothing."  Phranza  had  expressed 
to  Constantine  the  deep  interest  of  the  emperor  in 
the  career  of  Scanderbeg,  and  his  plans  for  Morsinia. 

"  Scanderbeg,"  said  he,  "  is  the  one  hero  of  our 
degenerate  age  ;  the  only  arm  not  beaten  nerveless  by 
the  blows  of  the  Turk.  I  have  asked  nothing  concern- 
ing yourself,  my  young  man  ;  nor  need  I  know  more 
than  that  such  a  chieftain  is  interested  in  you  and  your 
charge.  Your  great  captain  informs  me  (reading  from 
a  letter),  that  any  service  we  may  render  you  here  will 
be  counted  as  service  to  Albania  ;  and  that  any  favor 
we  may  bestow  upon  the  lady  will  be  as  if  shown  to  his 
own  child.  Is  she  of  any  kin  to  him  ?" 

"  I  may  not  speak  of  that,"  replied  the  youth,  "  except 
to  tell  that  her  blood  is  noble,  and  that  General 
Castriot  has  made  her  safety  his  care.  An  Albanian 


224         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

needs  but  to  know  that  this  is  the  will  of  our  loving 
and  wise  chieftain,  to  defend  Morsinia  with  his 
life." 

"  You  speak  her  name  with  familiarity,"  said 
Phranza. 

"  It  is  the  custom  of  our  people,"  replied  Constan- 
tine,  coloring.  "  The  trials  of  our  country  have  thrown 
nobles  and  peasants  into  more  intimate  relations  than 
would  perhaps  be  allowed  in  a  settled  condition. 
This,  too,  may  have  influenced  General  Castriot  in 
sending  her  here,  where  her  life  may  be  more  suitable 
to  her  gentle  blood." 

"  It  is  enough !  "  exclaimed  Phranza.  "If  our  distance 
from  Albania,  and  our  own  pressing  difficulties  and 
dangers  do  not  allow  us  to  send  aid  to  your  hero,  we 
can  show  him  our  respect  and  gratitude  by  treating 
her,  whom  he  would  have  as  his  child,  as  if  she  were 
our  own.  And  now  for  yourself — well  !  you  shall  have 
what,  if  I  mistake  you  not,  your  discreet  mind  and 
lusty  muscles  most  crave — an  opportunity  '  to  win  your 
spurs,'  as  the  western  knights  would  say.  Events  are 
thickening  into  a  crash,  the  out-come  of  which  no  one 
can  foresee,  except  that  the  Moslem  or  the  Christian  shall 
hold  all  from  the  Euxine  to  the  Adriatic.  This  double 
empire  cannot  long  exist.  Scanderbeg's  arms  alone 
are  keeping  the  Sultan  from  trying  again  the  strength 
of  our  walls.  A  disaster  there  ;  an  assault  here  ! 
You  serve  the  one  cause  whether  here  or  there." 

"  I  give  my  fealty  to  the  emperor  as  I  would  to  my 
general,"  replied  the  young  man  warmly. 

Constantine  found  himself  arrayed  before  night  in 
the  costume  of  a  subaltern  officer  of  the  imperial  guard, 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         225 

and  assigned  to  quarters  at  the  barracks  in  the  section 
of  the  city  near  to  the  house  of  the  chamberlain.  His 
brief  training  under  the  eye  of  Castriot,  and  his 
hazardous  service,  had  developed  his  great  natural 
talent  for  soldiership  into  marvellous  acquirements  for 
one  of  his  years.  With  the  foils,  in  the  saddle,  in 
mastery  of  tactics,  in  engineering  ability  displayed  at 
the  walls — which  were  being  constantly  strengthened 
— he  soon  took  rank  with  the  most  promising.  By 
courtesy  of  the  chamberlain  he  was  allowed  the  freest 
communication  with  Morsinia,  and  was  often  the  guest 
of  her  host ;  especially  upon  excursions  of  pleasure  up 
the  Golden  Horn  to  the  "  Sweet  Waters,"  along  the 
western  shore  of  the  Bosphorus,  to  the  Princess 
Island,  and  such  other  spots  on  the  sea  of  Marmora  as 
were  uninfested  by  piratical  Turks. 

Morsinia  became  the  favorite  not  only  of  the  wife  of 
Phranza,  but  of  the  ladies  of  the  court,  and 
the  object  of  especial  devotion  on  the  part  of  the 
nobles  and  officers  of  the  emperor's  suite. 

But  it  would  have  required  more  saintliness  of 
female  disposition  than  was  ever  found  in  the  court 
of  a  Byzantine  emperor,  to  have  smothered  the  fires  of 
jealousy,  when,  at  a  banquet  given  at  the  palace, 
Morsinia  was  placed  at  the  emperor's  right  hand.  It 
might  not  be  just  to  Phranza  to  say  that  to  his  sugges- 
tion was  due  the  praise  of  Morsinia's  beauty  and 
queenly  bearing,  which  the  emperor  overheard  from 
many  of  the  courtiers'  lips.  Perhaps  the  charms  of 
her  person  forced  this  spontaneous  commendation 
from  them  :  as  it  was  asserted  by  some  of  the  more 
elderly  of  the  ladies — whom  long  study  had  made 


226         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

proficient  in  the  art  of  reading  kings'  hearts  from 
their  faces,  that  the  monarch  found  an  Esther  in  the 
Albanian. 

The  reigning  beauty  at  the  court  of  Constantine 
Palaslogus  at  this  time  was  the  daughter  of  a  Genoese 
admiral.  Though  not  reputed  for  amiability,  she  won 
the  friendship  of  Morsiniaby  many  delicate  attentions. 
Gifts  of  articles  of  dress,  ornaments  and  such 
souvenirs  as  only  one  woman  can  select  for  another, 
seemed  to  mark  her  increasing  attachment.  A  box  of 
ebony,  richly  inlaid  with  mother  of  pearl,  and  filled 
with  delicious  confections,  was  one  day  the  offering 
upon  the  shrine  of  her  sisterly  regard.  The  wife  of 
Phranza,  in  whose  presence  the  box  was  opened,  on 
learning  the  name  of  the  donor,  besought  Morsinia 
not  to  taste  the  contents  ;  and  giving  a  candied  fig  to 
a  pet  ape,  the  brute  sickened  and  died  before  the 
night. 

An  event  contributed  to  the  rumors  which  associated 
the  name  of  the  fair  Albanian  with  the  special  favors 
of  the  emperor.  An  embassage  from  the  Doge  of 
Venice  had  brightened  the  harbor  with  their  galleys. 
A  gondola  sheathed  in  silver,  floated  upon  the  waters 
of  the  Golden  Horn,  like  a  white  swan,  and  was 
moored  at  the  foot  of  the  palace  garden — the  gift  of 
the  Doge.  Another,  its  counterpart,  was  in  the  har- 
bor of  Venice — the  possession  of  the  daughter  of  the 
Doge  ;  but  waiting  to  join  its  companion,  if  the 
imperial  heart  could  be  persuaded  to  accept  with  it 
the  person  of  its  princely  owner.  Better  than  the 
ideal  marriage  of  Venice  with  the  sea — the  ceremony 
of  which  was  annually  observed — would  be  the  mar- 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          227 

riage  of  the  two  seas,  the  Adriatic  and  the  ^Egean  ; 
and  the  reunion  of  their  families  of  confluent  waters 
under  the  double  banner  of  St.  Mark  and  Byzantium. 
But  the  Grand  Duke  Lucas  Notaris,  who  was  also 
grand  admiral  of  the  empire,  declared  openly  that  he 
would  sooner  hold  alliance  with  the  Turk  than  with  a 
power  representing  that  schismatic  Latin  Church. 
The  hereditary  nobles  protested  against  such  a  men- 
ace to  social  order  as,  in  their  estimate,  a  recognition 
of  a  republic  like  Venice  would  be.  But  it  was 
believed  that  more  potent  in  its  influence  over  the 
emperor  than  these  outcries,  was  the  whisper  of 
Phranza  that  the  silver  gondola  of  Venice  was  fairer 
than  its  possessor  ;  and  that  queenly  beauty  awaited 
elsewhere  the  imperial  embrace. 

No  habitue  of  the  court  knew  less  of  this  gossip 
than  Morsinia  herself ;  nor  did  she  suspect  any 
unusual  attention  paid  her  by  the  emperor  to  be 
other  than  an  expression  of  regard  for  Castriot, 
whose  ward  she  was  known  to  be.  Or  if,  when  they 
were  alone,  his  manner  betrayed  a  fondness,  she 
attributed  it  to  his  natural  kindliness  of  disposition,  or 
to  that  desire  for  recreation  which  persons  in  middle 
life,  burdened  with  cares,  find  in  the  society  of  the 
young  and  beautiful  ;  for  no  purpose  of  modesty 
could  hide  from  Morsinia  the  knowledge  which  her 
mirror  revealed.  She  had,  too,  the  highest  respect 
for  the  piety  of  the  emperor  ;  the  deepest  sympathy 
with  him  in  his  distress  for  the  evils  which  were 
swarming  about  his  realm  ;  and  a  true  admiration  for 
the  courage  of  heart  with  which  he  bore  up  against 
them.  It  was  therefore  with  a  commingling  of 


228         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

religious,  patriotic,  and  personal  interest  that  she  gave 
herself  up  to  his  entertainment  whenever  he  sought 
her  society.  That  she  might  understand  him  the  bet- 
ter, and  be  able  to  converse  with  him,  she  learned 
from  Phranza  much  of  the  history  of  recent  move- 
ments, both  without  and  within  the  empire.  So 
expert  had  she  become  in  these  matters  that  the 
chamberlain  playfully  called  her  his  prime  minister. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

ONE  evening  the  lower  Bosphorus  and  the  Golden 
Horn  were  alive  with  barges  and  skiffs,  which 
cut  the  glowing  water  with  their  spray-plumed  prows 
and  flashing  blades.  Thus  the  tired  day  toilers 
were  accustomed  to  seek  rest,  and  the  idlers  of 
fashion  endeavored  to  quicken  their  blood  in  the 
cool  wind  which,  from  the  heights  of  the  Phrygian 
Olympus,  poured  across  the  sea  of  Marmora.  The 
Emperor,  attended  by  one  of  his  favorite  pages, 
appeared  upon  the  rocky  slope  which  is  now  known  as 
Seraglio  Point.  A  number  of  boats,  containing  the 
ladies  and  gentlemen  of  the  court,  drew  near  to  the 
shore.  It  was  the  custom  of  his  majesty  to  accept 
the  brief  hospitality  of  one  and  another  of  these 
parties,  and  for  the  others  to  keep  company  with 
him  ;  so  that  the  evening  sail  was  not  unlike  a  saloon 
reception  upon  the  water.  The  dais  of  Phranza's 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         229 

boat  was,  on  the  evening  to  which  we  refer,  occupied 
by  Morsinia  alone  ;  and,  as  the  rowers  raised  the  oars 
in  salute  of  his  majesty,  he  waved  his  hand  playfully 
to  the  others,  saying  : 

"The  chamberlain  is  so  occupied  to-day  that  he 
has  no  time  to  attend  to  his  own  household.  I  will 
take  his  place,  with  the  permission  of  the  dove  of 
Albania." 

"  Your  Majesty  needs  rest,"  said  Morsinia,  making 
place  for  him  at  her  side  on  the  dais,  which  filled  the 
stern  of  the  barge,  and  over  which  hung  a  silken 
awning.  "  Your  face,  Sire,  betokens  too  much  thought 
to-day." 

Throwing  himself  down,  he  replied  lazily  :  "  I 
would  that  our  boat  were  seized  by  some  sea  sprite, 
and  borne  swift  as  the  lightnings  to  where  the  sun 
yonder  is  making  his  rest,  beyond  the  Hellespont, 
beyond  the  pillars  of  Hercules,  beyond  the  world  ! 
But  you  shall  be  my  sprite  for  the  hour.  Your  con- 
versation, so  different  to  that  of  the  court,  your 
charming  Arnaout  accent,  and  thoughts  as  natural  as 
your  mountain  flowers,  always  lead  me  away  from 
myself." 

"  I  thank  heaven,  Sire,  if  Jesu  gives  to  me  that  holy 
ministry,"  replied  she  blushing  deeply  and  diverting 
the  conversation.  "  But  why  are  you  so  sad  when 
everything  is  so  beautiful  about  us  ?  Is  it  right  to 
carry  always  the  burden  of  empire  upon  your  heart  ?  " 

"  Alas !  "  replied  he,  "  I  must  carry  the  burden 
while  I  can,  for  the  time  may  not  be  far  distant  when 
I  shall  have  no  empire  to  burden  me.  Events  are 
untoward.  While  Sultan  Amurath  lives  our  treaty 


230         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

will  prevent  any  attack  upon  the  city.  But  if  another 
should  direct  the  Moslem  affairs,  our  walls  yonder 
would  soon  shake  with  the  assault  of  the  enemy  of 
Christendom.  Nothing  but  the  union  of  the  Christian 
powers  can  save  us." 

"  And  you  have  the  union  with  Rome  ? "  suggested 
Morsinia. 

"  A  union  of  shadows  to  withstand  an  avalanche," 
replied  the  Emperor.  The  Pope  is  impotent.  He 
can  only  promise  a  score  of  galleys  and  his  good 
offices  with  the  powers.  At  the  same  time  our  monks 
have  almost  raised  an  insurrection  against  the  throne 
for  listening  to  the  proposition  of  alliance  to  which 
my  lamented  brother  subscribed  during  the  last  days 
of  his  reign." 

"  But  God,"  replied  Morsinia,  "  is  wiser  than  we, 
and  will  not  allow  the  throne  of  the  righteous  to  be 
shaken.  I  have  looked  to-day  at  the  marvellous  dome 
of  St.  Sophia.  As  I  gazed  into  its  mighty  vault,  and 
thought  of  the  great  weight  of  the  stones  which  made 
it,  I  looked  about  to  see  upon  what  it  rested.  The 
light  columns  and  walls,  far  spread,  seemed  all 
insufficient  to  support  it.  As  I  stood  looking,  I 
was  at  first  so  filled  with  fear  that  I  dared  not 
linger.  But  then  I  remembered  that  a  great  archi- 
tect had  made  it ;  and  that  so  it  had  stood  for 
many  centuries,  and  had  trembled  with  songs  of  praise 
from  millions  upon  millions  of  worshippers  who  in  all 
these  generations  have  gathered  under  it.  Then  I 
stood  as  quietly  beneath  it  as  I  am  now  under  the 
great  vault  of  the  sky.  And  surely,  Sire,  this  Christian 
empire  was  founded  in  deeper  wisdom  than  that  of  the 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         231 

architect.  Are  not  the  pillars  of  God's  promises  its 
sure  support  ?  Have  not  holy  men  said  that  so  long 
as  the  face  of  Jesu*  looks  down  from  above  the  great 
altar,  the  sceptre  shall  not  depart  from  him  who 
worships  before  it  ?  " 

"  But,  "  said  Palaelogus,  "  God  rejects  His  people 
for  their  sins.  The  empire's  misfortunes  have  not 
been  greater  than  its  crimes.  As  the  rising  mists 
return  in  rain,  so  the  sins  of  Constantinople,  rising 
for  centuries,  will  return  with  storms  of  righteous  retri- 
bution. And  I  fear  it  will  be  in  our  day  ;  for  the 
clouds  hang  low,  and  mutter  ominously,  and  there  is 
no  bright  spot  within  the  horizon." 

"  Say  not  so,  my  Emperor  !  "  cried  Morsinia  ear- 
nestly. "  A  breath  of  wind  is  now  scattering  yonder 
cloud  over  Olympus  ;  and  the  lightest  moving  of  God's 
will  can  do  more.  Do  you  not  remember  the  words 
of  a  holy  father,  which  I  have  often  heard  one  of  our 
Latin  priests  repeat  to  those  fearful  because  of  their 
past  lives  ; — '  Beware  lest  thou  carry  compunctions  for 
the  past  after  thou  hast  repented  and  prayed.  That 
is  to  doubt  God's  grace.'  But  I  am  a  child,  Sire, 
and  should  not  speak  thus  to  the  Emperor." 

"A  child?"  said  his  majesty,  gazing  upon  her 
superb  form  and  strong  womanly  features.  "  Well !  a 
child  can  see  as  far  into  the  sky  as  the  most  learned  and 
venerable  ;  and  your  faith,  my  child,  rests  me  more 

*  A  face  of  Christ  was  wrought  in  mosaic  in  the  wall  above  the 
chancel  of  St.  Sophia.  The  Turks  still  have  a  traditional  saying 
that  the  Christian  shall  not  again  possess  Constantinople  until  the 
face  of  Jesus  appears  visibly  in  St.  Sophia.  At  the  time  of  its 
capture  by  the  Moslems  this  picture  of  Christ  was  painted  over. 
It  is  now  again  dimly  discerned  through  the  fading  and  scaling 
paint. 


232         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

than  all  the  earth-drawn  assurances  of  my  counsellors. 
Where  have  you  learned  so  to  trust  ?  I  would  will- 
ingly spend  my  days  in  the  convent  of  Athos  or 
Monastir  to  learn  it !  But  I  fear  me  the  holy  monks 
have  it  not  of  so  strong  and  serene  a  sort  as  yours." 

"  I  have  learned  it,  Sire,  as  my  heart  has  read  it 
from  my  own  life.  My  years  are  scarcely  more  num- 
erous than  my  rescues  have  been,  when  to  human 
sight  there  was  no  escape  from  death,  or  what  I  dreaded 
worse  than  death.  I  have  learned  to  hold  a  hand  that 
I  see  not  ;  and  it  has  never  failed.  Nor  will  it  fail 
the  anointed  of  the  Lord  ;  for  such  thou  art.  But 
see  !  yonder  comes  my  brother  Constantine.  I  know 
him  from  his  rowing.  They  who  learn  the  oars  on 
mountain  lakes  never  get  the  stroke  they  have  who 
learn  it  at  the  sea." 

The  Emperor  turning  in  the  direction  indicated, 
frowned,  and  said  angrily, 

"  Your  brother  has  forgotten  the  regulations,  and  is 
in  danger  of  discipline  for  rowing  within  the  lines 
allowed  only  to  the  court." 

The  boat  came  nearer  ;  not  steadily,  but  turning  to 
right  and  left,  stopping  and  starting  as  if  directed  by 
something  at  a  distance  which  the  rower  was  watch- 
ing. 

The  Emperor's  attention  was  turned  almost  at  the 
same  instant  to  a  light  boat  shooting  toward  them 
from  an  opposite  direction.  The  occupant  of  this 
was  a  monk.  His  black  locks,  mingled  with  his 
black  beard,  gave  a  wildness  to  his  appearance,  which 
was  increased  by  the  excited  and  rapid  manner  of  his 
propelling  the  craft. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         233 

"  Something  unusual  has  occurred,  or  they  would 
wait  the  finding  of  another  messenger  than  he,"  said 
the  Emperor. 

The  monk's  boat  glided  swiftly.  When  within  a 
few  yards  of  the  barge  in  which  the  Emperor  was  the 
man  stood  up,  his  eyes  flashing,  and  his  whole  attitude 
that  of  some  vengeful  fiend.  "  Hold  !  "  shouted  the 
rowers  of  the  royal  barge,  endeavoring  to  turn  the 
craft  so  as  to  avoid  a  collision. 

"  The  man  is  crazed  !  "  said  Morsinia. 

But  at  the  instant  when  the  two  boats  would  have 
come  together,  another,  that  of  Constantine,  shot 
between  them  and  received  the  blow.  Its  thin  sides 
were  broken  by  the  shock. 

The  monk  who  had  come  to  the  very  prow,  and 
drawn  a  knife  from  his  bosom,  cried  out,  "  To  the 
devil  with  the  Prince  of  the  Azymites."* 

He  leaped  upon  Constantine's  boat  in  order  to  reach 
that  containing  the  Emperor  :  but  was  caught  in  the 
strong  arms  of  Constantine  who  fell  with  him  into 
the  water.  The  monk  gripped  with  his  antagonist  so 
that  they  sank  together.  In  a  few  seconds,  however, 
Constantine  emerged.  A  thin  streamer  of  blood 
floated  from  him.  He  was  drawn  upon  the  barge. 
Morsinia's  hand  tore  off  the  loose  gold-laced  jacket, 
and  found  the  wound  to  be  a  deep,  but  not  dangerous 
flesh  cut  across  the  shoulder.  It  was  several  moments 
before  the  monk  appeared.  He  gasped  and  sank 
again  forever. 

*The  ' '  Azymites  "  were  those  who  used  unleavened  bread  in 
the  sacrament,  and  at  the  time  of  which  we  are  writing  the 
word  was  used  among  the  Greeks  as  a  term  of  reproach  to  the  Latin- 
izers,  that  is,  those  who  favored  union  with  the  Latin  Church. 


234         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

Constantine  stated  that  the  day  before,  while  aid- 
ing in  the  erection  of  a  platform  for  some  small 
culverin  that  Urban  had  cast,  the  latter  spoke  to  him 
of  the  marvellous  mosaic  ornamentation  in  the  vesti- 
bule of  the  little  church  just  beyond  the  walls,  and 
took  him  thither.  The  monk  was  there,  and  passed 
in  and  out,  evidently  demented,  and  muttering  to  him- 
self curses  upon  the  Latinizers.  Constantine  thought 
little  of  this  at  the  time  ;  for  a  mad  monk  was  not 
an  uncommon  sight  in  the  city.  But  observing  the 
same  man  at  the  quay  hiring  a  boat,  he  determined  to 
watch  him.  Hence  the  sequel. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

'HPHE  members  of  Phranza's  family  were  dining,  as  was 
1  their  custom  on  pleasant  days,  under  the  great 
fig  tree  in  the  garden  ;  a  favorite  spot  with  the  cham- 
berlain when  allowed  that  privacy  of  life  and  domestic 
retirement  which  were  seldom  enjoyed  by  one  whose 
duty  it  was  to  show  the  courtesies  of  the  empire  to 
embassadors  and  distinguished  visitors  from  the  ends 
of  the  earth. 

"  I  would  willingly  exchange  conditions  with  old 
Guerko,  the  gate  keeper,  to-day,"  said  Phranza,  push- 
ing from  him  the  untasted  viands.  "  The  gate-keeper 
of  an  empire  has  less  liberty  and  rest." 

"  What  new  burden  has  the  council  put  upon  you, 
my  lord  ? "  said  his  wife. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         235 

"  Remember  that  your  little  prime  minister  will 
help  you,"  interposed  Morsinia  playfully. 

Phranza  glanced  with  a  kindly  but  troubled  look  at 
her 

"  The  wheels  of  the  public  good  grind  up  the 
hearts  of  individuals  remorselessly,"  continued  the 
good  man.  "  Here  am  I  with  a  spouse  as  fair  as 
Juno  ;  yet  I  must  leave  her  for  months,  and  maybe 
years,  that  I  may  seek  a  spouse  for  the  Emperor.  I 
am  to  make  a  tour  of  all  Christian  courts  ;  sampling 
delicate  bits  of  female  loveliness,  and  weighing  pater- 
nal purses.  But  sacred  policy  takes  the  place  of  holy 
matrimony  among  the  great.  An  emperor  and  empress 
are  not  to  be  man  and  wife,  but  only  the  welding 
points  of  two  kingdoms,  though  their  hearts  are  burned 
and  crushed  in  the  nuptials.  I  had  hoped  that  his 
majesty  would  assert  his  sovereignty  sufficiently  to 
declare  that,  in  this  matter,  he  would  exercise  the 
liberty  which  the  commonest  boor  possesses,  and 
choose  who  should  share  his  couch,  and  be  the  mother 
of  his  children.  But  the  very  day  after  his  escape 
from  the  mad  monk,  he  put  the  keeping  of  his  royal 
heart  into  the  hands  of  his  ministers.  The  shock  of  the 
attempt  upon  his  life,  or  something  else  (glancing  at 
Morsinia),  seems  to  have  turned  his  head  with  fear 
for  the  succession.  So,  to-morrow  I  sail  to  the 
Euxine  to  inspect  the  Circassian  beauties,  who  are 
said  to  bloom  along  its  eastern  shore.  But  my  dear 
wife  will  be  consoled  for  my  absence  by  the  return  of 
our  nephew  Alexis,  who,  I  learn  from  my  letters,  is 
already  at  Athens,  having  wearied  of  his  sojourn 
among  the  Italians,  and  will  be  with  you  before  many 


236         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

days.  Heaven  grant  that  he  has  not  become  tainted 
with  the  vices  of  the  Italians,  which  are  even  worse 
than  those  of  the  Byzantines.  I  trust  he  will  find  his 
aunt's  care,  and  the  sisterly  offices  of  our  Albanian 
daughter,  more  potently  helpful  than  my  counsel 
would  have  been." 

The  magnificent  retinue,  the  splendid  galleys,  the 
untold  treasures  scraped  from  the  bottom  of  the 
imperial  coffers,  with  which,  on  the  following  day,  the 
chamberlain  sailed  away  through  the  Bosphorusto  the 
Euxine,  were  but  poor  compensation  to  his  loving 
household  for  his  prolonged  absence.  Nor  was  his  place 
adequately  filled  by  Alexis  with  his  fine  form  and 
western  elegance  of  manners.  In  one  respect  Phranza's 
wish  was  met  ;  for  if  the  care  of  his  aunt  was  not 
appreciated  by  the  young  man,  the  sisterly  offices 
of  the  fair  Albanian  were. 

Morsinia's  respect  for  the  absent  Phranza  led  her  to 
allow  more  attention  from  Alexis  than  her  heart,  or 
even  her  judgment,  would  have  suggested.  The 
young  nobleman  soon  entangled  himself  in  the  web  of 
her  unconscious  fascination.  It  was  not  until  with 
passionate  ardor  he  told  his  love,  that  Morsinia  realized 
her  fatal  power  over  him.  But  with  a  true  woman's 
frankness  and  firmness,  she  endeavored  to  dispel  the 
illusion  his  ardent  fancy  had  created. 

"  If  I  have  not  yet  won  you,"  cried  the  impetuous 
youth,  "  do  not  tell  me  that  my  suit  is  hopeless.  It 
was  folly  in  me  to  dream  that  you  would  see  in  me 
anything  worthy  of  your  love,  so  soon  as  your  trans- 
cendent beauty  of  face  and  soul  made  me  feel  that 
you  were  all  worthy  of  mine.  Let  me  prove  myself 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         237 

by  months  or  years  of  devotion,  if  you  will.  If  I  do 
not  now  merit  your  esteem,  surely  the  charm  of  daily 
looking  upon  you  will  make  me  better  ;  the  sweetness 
of  your  spirit  will  change  mine;  then  as  you  see  in  me 
some  impression  of  your  own  goodness,  you  will  not 
scorn  and  repel  me.  I  beg  that  you  will  make  of  me 
what  you  will,  and  love  me  as  you  can.  I  am  not 
harder  than  the  marble  of  which  Pygmalion  made  the 
statue  he  loved.  Mould  me,  Morsinia  !  " 

"  It  is  not  that  you  are  not  worthy  of  me,  Alexis. 
The  nephew  of  Phranza  need  not  humiliate  himself 
at  the  feet  of  any  king's  daughter.  But — but — it  may 
not  be  !  It  cannot  be  !  "  and,  gently  releasing  the 
hand  she  had  allowed  him  to  seize,  she  withdrew  to 
her  own  chamber. 

Alexis  stood  for  a  moment  as  if  stupefied  with  his 
disappointment.  This  feeling  was  followed  by  a 
chagrin,  which  showed  itself  in  the  deep  color  mount- 
ing his  haughty  face.  Then  rage  ensued,  and  he 
stamped  upon  the  ground  as  if  crushing  some  helpless 
thing  beneath  his  feet,  and  muttered  to  himself  : 

"  If  not  I,  no  man  shall  have  her  and  live.  Can  it 
be  that  Albanian  Constantine  ?  Who  is  that  vagrant  ? 
that  menial  ?  that  hell -headed  hireling  who  follows 
her  ?  Angels  and  toads  do  not  brood  together  ;  and 
he  is  of  no  kin  to  her." 


238         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 


CHAPTER   XXXIII. 

'HpHROUGH  a  narrow  street,  lighted  by  the  lanterns 
1  which  hung  before  the  doors  of  the  few  wine  shops 
that  were  still  open — for  the  hour  was  late — a  man, 
wrapped  in  a  hooded  cloak,  went  stumbling  over  the 
dogs  that  were  asleep  in  the  middle  of  the  way,  and 
not  unfrequently  over  the  watchmen  lying  upon  the 
mats  before  the  closed  entrances  to  the  bazaars  they 
were  guarding.  He  entered  one  wine  shop  after 
another,  muttering  an  oath  of  disappointment  as  he 
withdrew  from  each.  At  length  he  turned  into  an 
alley,  which  seemed  like  a  mere  crevice  in  the  compact 
mass  of  houses,  and  threaded  his  way  between 
windowless  and  doorless  walls,  until  the  passage 
widened  into  a  small  and  filthy  court.  At  the  extreme 
rear  of  this  a  lamp  was  just  flickering  with  its  exhaust- 
ed oil,  and  only  sufficed  to  show  him  a  doorway. 
Rapping  gently  he  called  in  Italian  : 

"  Pedro  !  Giovan  !  " 

The  door  was  opened  by  a  short,  stout  man  with 
bullet  head,  who  spread  himself  across  the  entrance 
and  peered  into  the  face  of  the  late  comer.  Two 
villainous  looking  men  stared  through  the  lurid  glare 
of  a  rush  light  on  a  low  table,  at  which,  squatted  on 
the  ground,  they  were  playing  dice.  A  purse  or 
pouch  of  gold  thread,  decorated  with  some  device 
wrought  with  pearls  and  various  precious  stones,  lay 
beside  them. 

"  Ah,  the  gentleman  from  Genoa  ! ''  exclaimed  one. 
"  You  are  quite  welcome  to  our  castle.  Ricardo, 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.        239 

where  is  the  stool  ?    Well !  if  you  can't  find  it,  lie  down, 
and  let  the  gentleman  sit  on  your  head." 

"  You  appear  to  be  in  luck,  Pedro,  if  I  am  to  judge 
from  the  purse  yonder,"  said  the  visitor.  "  Your 
lady  has  taken  you  back  to  her  affection,  and  given 
you  this  as  a  love  token,  I  suppose." 

"  I'll  tell  you  the  secrets  of  my  lady's  chamber,  Sig- 
nior,  when  you  tell  me  those  of  yours,"  replied  Pedro. 

"  Perhaps,"  interposed  Giovan, "  the  gentleman  would 
have  us  help  him  in  to  the  secrets  of  his  lady's  chamber. 
How  now,  Signior  Alexis,  have  you  trapped  a  new 
beauty  so  soon  in  Byzantium  ?  " 

"  Let's  throw  for  this  before  we  talk,"  interposed 
Ricardo,  holding  the  purse  in  one  hand  and  a  dice 
cup  in  the  other.  "  One  business  at  a  time." 

The  three  men  threw.  The  stake  fell  to  Ricardo, 
who  thrust  the  rich  prize  into  his  dirty  pocket,  where 
a  third  of  the  contents  of  the  purse  had  previously 
been  deposited. 

"  May  I  see  the  little  bag  ?  "  asked  Alexis. 

"  No  !  "  was  the  surly  response. 

"  You  see,  Signior,"  interposed  Giovan,  in  an 
attempt  to  mitigate  the  rudeness  of  his  comrade, 
"  You  see  it  was  a  trust  from — from  a  dead  man,  who 
was  afraid  to  take  it  with  him  to  purgatory,  lest  the 
fire  might  tarnish  it.  So  we  keep  it  for  him  until  he 
comes  back.  And  we  are  still  in  the  trust  business, 
Signior  !  Our  credit  is  without  a  stain.  You  know  it 
was  just  a  suspicion  of  our  integrity — we  would  not 
have  our  honor  even  suspected  by  the  police — that  led 
us  to  leave  Genoa.  Will  you  trust  us  with  any  little 
business  ?  " 


240          THE  CAPTAIN"  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

"  Do  you  know  the  Albanian  officer  in  the  emperor's 
guards  ? "  asked  Alexis. 

"  No,  and  want  to  know  nothing  about  officers  of 
any  sort,"  growled  Giovan. 

"  Ay  !  "  interposed  Ricardo,  "  the  red-topped 
fellow,  with  a  body  like  G"iovan's,  and  the  neck  the 
right  height  to  come  under  my  sword  arm  ?  "  making 
the  gesture  of  cutting  off  one's  head  with  a  sabre. 
"  Does  he  disturb  you  ?  " 

"  Yes  !  " 

"  It  will  be  worth  a  hundred  ducats,"  said  Giovan. 

"  A  hundred  and  fifty,"  said  Ricardo  ;  and,  lowering 
his  voice  to  the  others,  added,  "  I  need  fifty,  and  I 
would  take  only  my  even  share." 

"  You  shall  have  it,"  said  Alexis,  counting  out  the 
gold.  "  If  you  deceive  me,  you  know  that  one  word 
from  me  here  in  Byzantium  will  cost  you  your  heads. 
Good  night  !  " 

When  he  had  gone,  Giovan  said  in  low  voice  : 

"  I  say,  Pedro,  we  will  divide  a  thousand  ducats  out 
of  this." 

"  How  ? "  exclaimed  the  two. 

"  The  young  officer  is  brother  to  the  lady  at  the 
grand  chamberlain's.  She  will  pay  heavy  ransom  if 
we  deliver  him  instead  of — "  drawing  his  finger  across 
his  throat.  "  Of  course  we  should  have  to  leave 
Byzantium.  But  Ricardo  and  I  have  concluded  that 
it  were  best  to  be  gone  anyhow  ;  for  the  people  here 
are  so  poor  that  our  business  does  not  thrive.  This 
purse  once  held  ducats,  but  when  we  took  it,  it  had 
only  silver  bits.  We  pocket-bankers  need  better  con- 
stituency." 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.       241 

"  Yes,  we  had  better  get  out  of  this,"  said  Pedro. 
"  General  Giustiniani  has  come  to  live  in  Galata.* 
He  got  his  weasel-eyes  on  me  yesterday  as  I  was  doing 
a  little  business  by  the  old  wharf.  That  man  knows 
too  much,  he  does.  But  he'll  never  get  me  on  the 
galley  benches  again.  I'd  crawl  like  a  mud  turtle  on 
the  bottom  of  Marmora  before  I'd  go  under  the 
hatches  a  second  time.  I  like  freedom  and  fresh  air, 
I  do — "  blowing  out  of  his  face  the  thick  smoke 
emitted  by  the  wick  floating  on  the  surface  of  a  saucer 
of  oil. 

"  Right  !  "  said  Giovan.  "  Let's  get  out  of  this  if 
we  can  do  so  with  enough  gold  to  pay  our  royal  travel- 
ling expenses.  But  if  we  spare  the  neck  of  that  fellow 
who  is  in  Signior  Alexis'  way,  where  will  we  keep  him 
that  Alexis  will  not  know  it  ?  " 

"  Our  mansion  here  is  hardly  commodious  enough 
for  so  distinguished  and  lively  a  guest  as  the  young 
officer  will  be  likely  to  be,"  said  Ricardo,  scraping  the 
spiders'  webs  from  the  low  ceiling  of  the  room  with  his 
cap. 

"  Try  the  old  water  vault,"  suggested  Pedro. 

"Good!  "said  Ricardo,  "when  the  Albanian  goes  to 
the  walls,  as  he  does  every  day,  he  will  pass  near  to 
the  opening." 

*  A  suburb  of  Constantinople,  occupied  by  the  Genoese. 
16 


242         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

npHE  day  following  the  three  ruffians  lingered  about 
1  the  site  of  the  old  Hippodrome — through  the  open 
space  of  which  the  citizens  passed  in  going  from  one 
part  of  the  city  to  another.  Toward  evening  a  stone 
was  thrown  against  the  bronze-sheathed  column,  or 
walled  pyramid,  which  still  held  some  of  the  great 
plates  that  in  the  palmy  days  of  Byzantium  made  it  one 
of  the  wonders  of  the  city.  It  was  the  signal  for 
alertness.  A  short-bodied,  long-armed,  red-haired 
man,  dressed  in  the  white  kilt  and  gold -embroidered 
jacket  of  a  citizen,  sauntered  leisurely  through  the 
Hippodrome.  He  measured  with  his  eye  the  space 
which  once  blazed  with  the  splendor  of  fashion,  when, 
beneath  the  imperial  eye  of  a  Justinian  or  Theodosius, 
the  horses  of  Araby  and  Thracia  ran,  and  the  factions 
of  "  the  Blues  "  and  "  the  Greens  "  shouted,  and  the 
whirling  wheels  of  the  golden  chariots  sprinkled  the 
dust  upon  the  multitudes. 

The  man  paused  to  gaze  at  the  bronze  column  of 
three  intertwined  serpents,  with  silver-crested  heads, 
which  was  believed  to  have  been  brought  from  the 
temple  at  Delphi  to  his  new  city  by  the  great  Constan- 
tine.  He  stood  reverently  before  the  tall  Egyptian 
obelisk  of  rose-granite,  whose  light  red  glowed  with 
deeper  hue  in  the  eastern  flush  of  the  twilight  sky  ; 
puzzled  over  its  vertical  lines  of  hieroglyphs  which 
thirty  centuries  had  not  obliterated,  and  studied  the 
figures  on  its  marble  base,  representing  the  machines 
used  by  the  engineers  of  Theodosius  in  hoisting  the 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         243 

great  monolith  to  its  place,  a  thousand  years  ago. 
Broken  statues — the  spoil  of  conquered  cities  in  gen- 
erations of  Greek  prowess  which  shamed  the  supine- 
ness  of  the  present,  stood  or  lay  about  the  grand 
pillar  of  porphyry,  which  was  once  surmounted  by  the 
statue  of  Apollo  wrought  by  Phidias. 

"  Shame  for  such  neglect !  "  muttered  the  man.  "  A 
people  that  cannot  keep  its  art  from  cracking  to  pieces 
with  age,  cannot  long  keep  the  old  empire  of  the 
Caesars." 

The  narrow  street  to  the  north  of  the  Hippodrome 
square  shut  out  the  remnant  of  daylight  as  the  man 
turned  into  it.  His  attention  was  drawn  by  the  groan- 
ing of  some  poor  outcast  crouching  in  the  dark  shadow 
of  an  angle  in  the  wall.  As  he  stooped  to  inspect  this 
object  a  stunning  blow  fell  upon  his  head.  Two 
stalwart  men  instantly  pinioned  his  arms.  They 
rolled  his  helpless  body  a  few  yards,  and  carried  or 
slid  it  down  a  flight  of  steps  into  a  dark  cavern,  whose 
sides  echoed  their  footfalls  and  whispers,  as  if  it  were 
the  place  of  the  last  Judgment  where  the  secrets  of 
life  are  all  to  be  proclaimed.  Reaching  the  bottom, 
one  of  the  men  produced  a  light.  The  glare  seemed 
to  excavate  a  hollow  sphere  out  of  the  thick  darkness, 
but  revealed  nothing,  except  the  spectral  flash  of  the 
bats  flitting  around  the  heads  of  the  intruders,  and 
the  damp  earthen  floor  upon  which  the  men  had 
thrown  their  victim.  At  length  great  forms  rose 
through  the  gloom,  like  the  trunks  of  a  forest.  The 
water  of  a  subterranean  lake  gleamed  from  near  their 
feet,  but  its  smooth  black  sheen  was  soon  lost  in  the 
darkness.  A  small  boat,  or  raft,  was  near,  into  which 


244         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

the  man  was  lifted  ;  one  of  the  ruffians  sitting  on  his 
feet,  the  other  by  his  head,  while  the  third  propelled 
the  craft  by  pushing  against  great  granite  pillars 
between  which  they  passed.  After  going  some  dis- 
tance the  boat  ground  its  bottom  against  a  mass  of 
fallen  masonry  and  dirt,  which  made  a  sort  of  island, 
perhaps  twenty  feet  across.  Here  they  landed,  and 
dragged  their  victim. 

"  What  would  you  have  with  me  ? "  said  the  pros- 
trate man. 

"  It  is  enough  that  we  have  you,"  said  Pedro,  in 
broken  Greek.  "  We  want  nothing  more  ;  not  even  to 
keep  your  miserable  carcass,  since  we  have  already  got 
our  pay  for  burying  it.  I'll  be  your  father-confessor 
and  shrive  you.  If  you  like  the  Latin — Absolve  te  ! 
and  away  go  your  sins  as  easily  as  I  can  strip  this 
gold-laced  jacket  off  your  back.  Or  if  you  prefer  the 
Greek — By  the  horns  of  Nebuchadnezzar,  I've  for- 
gotten the  priestly  words  !  But  I'll  shrive  you  all  the 
same  without  the  holy  mumble.  And  if  you  want  to 
pray  a  bit  yourself,  why  fold  your  feet  in  front  of 
your  nose  and  kneel  on  your  back." 

"  Why  do  you  kill  me  ?  "  said  the  man.  "  I  am 
nothing  to  you." 

"  Nothing  to  us,  but  something  to  him  who  has  hired 
us.  As  honest  men  we  must  do  what  we  were  paid  to 
do." 

"  Unless  I  can  pay  you  more,"  said  the  man, 
instantly  taking  a  hopeful  hint. 

"  Do  you  wear  the  belt  of  Phranza,  that  you  think 
you  can  pay  so  much  ? "  replied  one  of  the  ruffians, 
feeling  about  the  person  of  the  helpless  man. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          245 

"What  I  have  I  give — a  hundred  ducats." 

"  A  hundred  !  Are  you  love-crossed  that  you  value 
life  so  little  ?  You'll  skin  well,  my  gentle  lambkin  ; 
and  as  you  are  half  tanned  already,  we  will  sell  your 
hide  to  the  buskin  maker  for  almost  that  sum;  and 
your  fat  (feeling  his  ribs)  will  grease  a  hundred  galley 
masts.  A  thousand  ducats  is  your  value,  you  Albanian 
imp  ! " 

"  I  do  not  possess  so  much,"  said  the  victim. 

"  But  your  sister  does,"  said  the  ruffian  ;  and  not 
noting  the  surprised  look  of  the  man,  continued: 
"  We  have  arranged  for  that.  Your  life  is  worth  to 
us  just  one  thousand  ducats  of  gold.  Sign  this!" 
producing  a  bit  of  paper  on  which  was  something 
written. 

"  I  cannot  read  it  in  this  light.  You  read  it.  I  may 
trust  such  honest  fellows  as  you  are." 

The  man  read — "  To  my  sister,  the  Albanian,  at  the 
house  of  Phranza.  I  am  in  danger  from  which  I  can 
escape  only  if  you  will  give  the  bearer  one  thousand 
ducats.  Speak  not  to  any  one  of  it,  or  my  life  is  for- 
feit. That  you  may  know  this  is  genuine  the  bearer 
will  show  you  my  ring  and  a  clip  of  my  hair." 

"  Give  me  your  ring  ;  and,  comrade,  warm  the  wax 
to  seal  the  letter,"  said  Giovan. 

"  But  I  am  not  the  man  you  seek,"  said  the  victim. 

"  And  who  in  the  devil's  name  are  you  then  ? " 

"  A  mere  stranger." 

"  Prove  it  !  " 

"  Take  the  ring,  and  the  lady  will  not  recognize 
it." 

"  We  shall  see,"  said  the  ruffian,  "  but  we  will  take 


246          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

the  hundred  ducats  now  to  pay  for  any  trouble  you 
have  put  us  to." 

His  belt  was  stripped  off,  and  its  golden  contents 
ripped  out.  The  victim  was  untied,  first  having  been 
completely  disarmed.  The  three  men  entering  the 
boat,  pushed  off  in  the  direction  from  which  they  had 
entered. 

The  island  prisoner  watched  the  receding  light  as  it 
flashed  its  long  rays  on  the  water,  illumined  the  arches 
of  the  roof,  and  lit  the  crouching  figures  in  the  boat. 
The  multiplying  pillars  became  like  a  solid  wall  as  the 
light  receded,  until  at  length  the  darkness  was  com- 
plete. The  sound  of  the  boat  as  it  scratched  against 
the  stone  at  the  landing,  gave  place  to  the  most 
oppressive  silence. 

To  attempt  escape  in  the  direction  of  the  entrance 
would  be  folly.  If  he  could  find  his  way  his  captors 
would  doubtless  be  on  guard  and  easily  overpower 
him,  as  he  would  have  to  wade  or  swim.  But  to 
remain  where  he  was  would  be  as  hazardous,  for  the 
wretches  would  not  risk  exposure  for  the  sake  of  the 
hundred  ducats  they  had  secured  ;  but  would  proba- 
bly return  and  put  him  out  of  the  way  of  witnessing 
against  them. 

As  he  meditated,  a  low  rumble  like  distant  thunder, 
ran  along  the  arches.  "  Some  passing  vehicle  in  the 
city  above,"  he  concluded. 

A  light  drip,  as  of  a  bat's  wing  touching  the  water  ! 
Another !  and  another  !  "  Strange  that  they  should 
be  so  regular  !  "  thought  the  man.  "  There  must  be 
some  inlet  :  I  will  explore." 

He  walked  cautiously  into  the  water  in  the  direction 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         247 

of  the  sound.  Soon  he  was  beyond  his  depth  ;  but, 
being  an  expert  swimmer,  kept  on  ;  his  outstretched 
arms  answering  as  antennae  of  some  huge  water- 
spider,  and  guarding  him  from  collision  with  the 
pillars. 

The  dripping  sound  became  louder.  Now  it  was 
just  above  his  head.  He  felt  his  way  with  his  hands 
until  it  became  evident  that  he  was  at  the  end  or  side 
of  the  subterranean  lake.  But  the  shore  was  steep  ; 
indeed,  a  wall.  Fixing  his  fingers  into  the  crevices 
between  the  stones,  he  was  able  to  raise  himself  half 
out  of  the  water.  Reaching  up  with  one  hand  he  felt 
the  curved  edge  of  a  viaduct,  by  which  the  dark  lake 
was  evidently  fed,  or  had  been  in  earlier  days.  But, 
bah  !  The  water  now  trickling  through  it  was  foul. 
The  spring  had  been  stopped,  and  the  viaduct  become 
a  sewer  ;  fed  doubtless  through  its  rents  with  the 
soakage  of  the  city. 

But  might  there  not  be  an  opening  into  the  upper 
air  ?  If  not,  a  great  human  mole — especially  if,  to 
blind  scratching  power,  he  adds  the  skill  of  one  trained 
in  the  art  of  engineering — can  possibly  make  an  open- 
ing. 

The  prisoner  climbed  into  the  viaduct.    It  was  large 
enough  to  allow  him  to  crawl  a  short  distance.     A 
faint  glimmer  of  light  proved  the  correctness  of  his 
surmise  that  it  was  connected  with  the  surface.     But 
fallen  stones  blocked  his  way.    As  he  lay  planning  with 
fingers  and  brain  for  his  further  progress,  voices  sound- 
ed from  the  reservoir.     They  were  those  of  two  of  the 
cut-throats  returning.     He  pushed  himself  back  to  the 
opening.     His  captors  had  missed  him  at  the  island. 


248          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

If  they  knew  of  this  sluice,  or  chanced  to  come  upon 
it  in  their  search,  he  was  lost  in  his  present  position  ; 
for  a  pair  of  bare  heels  was  the  only  weapon  he  could 
show  against  their  sharp  daggers.  He  let  himself 
down  into  the  water,  and  swam  silently  away.  The 
light,  however,  from  his  captors'  lamp  came  nearer. 

"  Hist !  "  said  one.  "  He  is  yonder  ;  perhaps  by  the 
devil's  window." 

The  boat  pushed  directly  toward  the  viaduct  he  had 
left. 

While  they  explored  the  opening,  which  might  well 
be  called  the  window  into  the  blackness  of  darkness 
of  the  nether  world,  their  victim  swam  rapidly,  keep- 
ing always  in  the  shadow  of  the  great  pillars.  But 
the  boat  was  upon  his  track  again. 

The  fugitive  now  made  a  fortunate  discovery.  Sev- 
eral feet  below  the  surface  of  the  water  the  base  of 
each  pillar  projected  far  enough  for  standing  room. 
This  base  had  probably  marked  the  height  to  which 
the  water  was  originally  allowed  to  rise.  By  standing 
upon  one  of  these  projections,  he  was  able  to  move 
round  the  pillar,  so  as  to  keep  its  huge  block  between 
himself  and  his  pursuers.  Thus  they  passed  him.  By 
the  light  in  the  boat  he  could  discern  the  ground  or 
shore  near  which  was  the  entrance. 

Returning  to  coast  the  other  side  of  the  cavern,  they 
had  passed  close  by  him,  when,  his  foot  slipping,  he 
was  projected  into  the  water.  The  wretches  hailed 
with  grim  joy  the  splash,  and  turned  the  boat  in  the 
direction  of  the  noise.  But,  dropping  beneath  the 
surface,  the  man  swam  to  a  pillar  near  by,  from  which 
he  watched  their  baffled  circuit  of  his  former  retreat. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          249 

This  chase  could  not  be  kept  up  endlessly.  Plung- 
ing again  under  the  water,  he  swam  directly  to  the 
boat.  Rising  suddenly,  he  grasped  its  side  with  main 
weight  and  overturned  it.  The  cries  of  the  men  and 
the  splashing  of  the  boat  echoed  a  hundred  times 
among  the  arches  ;  while  the  hissing  oil  of  the  open 
lamp,  which,  poured  on  the  surface  of  the  water,  blazed 
for  a  moment,  made  as  near  a  representation  of  pan- 
demonium as  this  world  ever  affords,  except  in  the 
brain  of  the  demented. 

Though  the  captive  had  endeavored  to  keep  his 
bearings,  and  had  not  lost  for  an  instant  his  presence 
of  mind,  the  swirling  of  the  boat  had  destroyed  all 
impression  of  the  direction  he  should  take.  He  remem- 
bered that  on  one  of  the  pillars  the  projecting  base 
was  broken.  It  was  that  on  which  he  had  stood  when 
he  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  ground  near  the  entrance. 
If  he  could  find  that  pillar  again  he  could  take  his 
bearings  as  readily  as  if  a  star  guided  him.  Several 
pillars  were  tried  before  the  talismanic  one  was  dis- 
covered. Feeling  the  broken  place,  and  recalling  the 
way  in  which  he  stood  upon  the  narrow  ledge  when 
he  saw  the  entrance,  he  took  his  course  accordingly, 
and  swam  on. 

One  of  his  pursuers  had  evidently  found  a  lodgment 
somewhere,  and  was  calling  lustily  to  his  comrade  for 
help.  But  there  came  back  no  answer  to  his  call. 

On  went  the  swimmer  until  the  light  of  the  outer 
world  gleamed  through  the  crevice  of  the  door,  twenty 
or  thirty  feet  above  him,  and  he  crawled  upon  the 
ground. 

Squeezing  the  water  from  his  garments,  he  climbed 


250         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

the  stairway,  and,  opening  the  heavy  and  worm-eaten 
doors,  peered  out.  The  street  was  crowded  with 
passers  ;  for  another  day  had  come  since  his  entrance 
to  the  old  reservoir.  In  his  half  naked  and  bedrab- 
bled  condition  he  hesitated  to  make  his  exit,  and 
returned  to  the  bottom  of  the  stairs.  A  hand  on  the 
door  above  made  him  leap  to  one  side. 

Giovan  entered.  Peering  intensely  into  the  shadows, 
he  descended  the  steps.  Pausing  a  moment  he  whistled 
through  his  teeth.  There  was  no  response.  He  whis- 
tled louder  on  his  fingers.  A  shout  came  back. 

"  Help  !     Giovan— help  !  " 

Giovan's  dagger  protruded  from  his  belt.  Another's 
hand  suddenly  drew  it,  and,  before  he  had  recovered 
from  his  surprise,  it  entered  his  neck  to  the  haft.  The 
Italian's  short  breeches,  velveteen  jacket  and  skull  cap 
were  made  to  take  the  place  of  the  remnant  of  the  pris- 
oner's once  most  reputable  wardrobe,  and  he  sallied 
forth. 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

LATER  in  the  day  the  gate  keeper  at  Phranza's 
mansion  put  into   Morsinia's  hand  a  letter  left 
with  him    by  an  Italian  laboring    man.     It  was  ad- 
dressed— "  To  the  Albanian  lady,"  and  read  thus  : 

"  Your  brother's  life  is  threatened  by  some  secret 
enemy.  Let  him  exercise  an  Albanian's  caution  ! 
This  is  the  advice  of  a  stranger." 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          251 

A  little  before  this,  as  the  "  poor  Italian "  was 
moving  away  from  the  gate  of  Phranza,  a  gorgeous 
palanquin,  with  silken  canopy  and  sides  latticed  with 
silver  rods,  was  borne  in  by  four  stout  and  well-formed 
men,  with  bare  legs  and  arms,  purple  short  trousers, 
embroidered  jackets,  and  jaunty  red  caps,  whose  long 
tassels  hung  far  down  their  backs. 

The  "  Italian  "  stepped  into  an  angle  that  the  palan- 
quin might  pass  ;  and  stood  gazing  a  long  time  after 
it  had  disappeared.  At  length,  turning  away,  he  said 
to  himself  : 

"  Strange  !  It  must  be  that  my  imagination  has  been 
disturbed  by  the  scenes  of  last  night.  But  the  lady 
in  yonder  palanquin  is  my  dream  made  real.  The 
pretty  face  of  the  child  with  whom  I  once  played  on 
the  mountains  must  have  cut  its  outlines  somewhere 
on  my  brain,  for  I  seem  to  see  it  everywhere.  My 
captive  in  the  mountains  of  Albania  had  the  same 
features — though  I  saw  them  only  under  the  flash  of  a 
torch.  Imagination  that,  surely  !  The  girl  at  Sfeti- 
grade  was  similar.  And  now  this  one  !  The  aga's 
advice  to  beware  female  illusions  was  good.  But  she 
may  be  the  Albanian  lady  after  all.  Impossible  ! 
Stupidity  !  Perhaps  my  chosen  houri  in  paradise  is 
only  flashing  her  beauty  upon  my  soul  from  these  fair 
earthly  faces,  and  so  training  me  first  to  love  her  as  an 
ideal,  that  the  joy  of  the  realization  may  be  perfect. 
But,  tut !  tut !  silly  boy  that  I  am !  " 

Whistling  monotonously  he  turned  down  a 
street. 

A  short,  crooked-necked  officer  passed  along.  His 
face  at  the  moment  was  the  picture  of  dissatisfaction. 


252        THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

The  "  Italian  "  stopped  him,  and,  with  a  courtesy  which 
belied  his  common  apparel,  addressed  him  : — 

"  Captain  Urban  of  the  engineers,  is  it  not  ?  " 

"  And  who  are  you  ? "  was  the  surly,  yet  half 
respectful,  reply,  as  the  one  addressed  glanced  into 
the  other's  face. 

"  One  who  knows  that  the  cannon  you  are  casting 
are  not  heavy  enough  to  lodge  a  ball  against  the  old 
tower  of  Galata  yonder  across  the  Golden  Horn,  much 
less  breach  a  fortification  ;  and  further,  that  all  you 
can  cast  at  this  rate  from  now  until  the  Turks  take 
Byzantium  would  not  enable  you  to  throw  ten  shot  an 
hour." 

"By  the  brass  toe  of  St.  Peter  !  man,  I  was  just 
saying  the  same  thing  to  myself,"  replied  Urban. 

"  And  the  Emperor's  treasury,  when  he  has  bought 
himself  a  wife,  will  not  have  enough  left  to  buy  salt- 
petre with  which  to  fire  the  guns,  if  he  should  allow 
you  brass  enough  for  the  casting,"  added  the  stranger. 

"  True  again,  my  man  ;  and  the  Emperor's  service 
in  the  meantime  does  not  yield  stipend  enough  for  an 
officer  to  live  upon  decently.  If  you  were  better 
dressed,  my  prince  of  lazaroni,  I  couldn't  afford  to 
ask  you  to  drink  with  me  ;  but  this  cheap  shop  will 
shame  neither  your  looks  nor  my  purse.  Come  in." 

"  Who  are  you,  my  good  fellow  ? "  asked  Urban,  as 
he  drained  a  cup  of  mastic-flavored  wine.  "  Were  not 
your  voice  different,  and  your  pronunciation  of  Greek 
rather  provincial,  with  a  slight  Servian  brogue,  I 
would  take  you  for  one  of  our  young  engineers.  You 
are  not  an  Italian,  spite  of  your  garb." 

"  No,"  was  the  reply,  "  I  was  once  in  the  employ  of 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          253 

the  Despot  of  Servia,  engineer  and  artillery-man  ;  but 
I  think  of  entering  the  service  of  the  Sultan.  He  pays 
finely,  and  gives  one  who  loves  the  science  of  war  a 
chance  to  use  his  genius." 

"  For  such  a  chance  and  good  pay  I  would  serve 
the  devil,"  said  Urban.  "  The  Greek  emperor  here 
is  no  saint,  and  yet  I  have  served  him  for  a  crust.  I 
am  not  bound  to  him  by  any  tie.  If  you  find  good 
quarters  with  the  Turks,  give  me  a  hint,  and  I  will  join 
you." 

The  stranger  eyed  him  closely  as  he  said  this,  and 
replied  in  low  tones — "  Captain  Urban,  I  am  a  Mos- 
lem ;  Captain  Ballaban  of  the  Janizary  corps.  And 
I  bear  you  a  commission  from  the  Padishah.  To  seek 
you  is  a  part  of  my  business  in  Constantinople.  I  do 
not  ask  you  to  take  my  word  for  this,  but  if  you  will 
accompany  me,  I  will  give  you  proof  of  my  authority. 
A  thousand  ducats  I  will  put  into  your  hand  within  an 
hour,  with  which  you  may  taste  the  Padishah's  liberal- 
ity and  imagine  what  it  shall  be  when  you  accompany 
me  to  Adrianople." 

The  two  men  left  the  wine  shop  together  and  entered 
a  bazaar.  The  stranger  whispered  to  the  merchant  who 
was  nearly  buried  amid  huge  piles  of  goods  of  every 
antique  description  ;  strange  patterned  tapestries,  rugs 
of  all  hues  and  sizes,  ebony  boxes  inlaid  with  silver 
and  ivory,  shields  bossed  and  graven,  spear-heads, 
cimeters  and  daggers.  The  salesman  made  as  low  a 
salam  as  his  crowding  wares  would  permit,  and,  open- 
ing a  way  through  the  heaps  of  merchandise,  con- 
ducted the  visitors  into  an  inner  room. 


254         THE  CAPTAIN   OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

better  understand  the  events  just  recited,  we 
1  must  trace  some  scenes  which  had  been  enacted 
elsewhere. 

During  the  sojourn  of  Constantine  and  Morsinia  in 
Constantinople,  the  Turks  had  made  no  progress 
toward  the  conquest  of  Albania.  The  walls  of  Croia, 
upon  which  they  turned  their  thousands  of  men,  and 
exhaustless  resources  of  siege  apparatus,  served  only  to 
display  the  valor  and  skill  of  the  assailants,  the  super- 
ior genius  of  Castriot,  and  the  endurance  of  his  bands 
of  patriots. 

The  haughty  Sultan  Amurath,  broken  in  health, 
more  by  the  chagrin  of  his  ill  success  than  by  expos- 
ures or  casual  disease,  retired  to  Adrianople,  in  com- 
pany with  his  son,  Prince  Mahomet,  who  was  satisfied 
with  a  few  lessons  in  the  science  of  military  manceuver- 
ing  as  taught  by  the  dripping  sword  of  Castriot  ;  and 
preferred  to  practice  his  acquirements  upon  other  and 
less  dangerous  antagonists.  Prince  Mahomet  had 
scarcely  withdrawn  to  Magnesia  in  Asia  Minor,  and 
celebrated  his  nuptials  with  the  daughter  of  the  Turko- 
man Emir,  when  news  was  brought  of  the  death  of  his 
father. 

The  prince  was  hardly  twenty-one  years  of  age  ;  but 
his  first  act  was  ominous  of  the  promptitude,  self-asser- 
tion and  diligence  of  the  whole  subsequent  career  of 
this  man,  whose  success  on  the  field  and  in  the  divan 
made  him  the  foremost  monarch  of  his  age. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         255 

On  hearing  the  news  he  turned  to  Captain  Ballaban, 
for  whom  the  young  Padishah  entertained  the  fondest 
affection,  and  who  had  accompanied  him  to  Magnesia 
in  the  capacity  of  kavass. — 

"  I  shall  leave  to  you,  Captain,  the  duty  of  represent- 
ing me  at  the  burial  of  my  royal  father  at  Brusa,  after 
which  meet  me  at  Adrianople." 

Leaping  into  the  saddle,  he  cried  to  the  company 
about  him,  "  Let  those  who  love  me,  follow  me  ! " 
and  spurred  his  Arab  steed  to  the  Hellespont. 

The  magnificent  cortege  of  the  dead  Sultan  moved 
rapidly  from  the  European  capital  of  the  Turks  to 
their  ancient  one  in  Asia  Minor.  The  thoughts  of  the 
attendants  were  more  toward  the  new  hand  which 
would  distribute  the  favors  or  terrors  of  empire,  than 
toward  the  hand  which  was  now  cold. 

Captain  Ballaban  was  in  time  to  join  the  reverent 
circle  which  committed  the  royal  body  to  its  ancestral 
resting  place.  They  buried  it  with  simple  sepulchral 
rites,  in  the  open  field,  unshadowed  by  minaret  or  costly 
mosque  or  memorial  column  ;  that,  as  the  dying  Pad- 
ishah had  said,  "  the  mercy  and  blessing  of  God  might 
come  unto  him  by  the  shining  of  the  sun  and  moon, 
and  the  falling  of  the  rain  and  dew  of  heaven  upon  his 
grave." 

Sultan  Mahomet  II.  was  scarcely  within  the  seraglio 
at  Adrianople  when  Captain  Ballaban  reported  for 
duty.  Passing  through  the  outer  or  common  court, 
he  entered  by  the  second  gate  into  the  square  sur- 
rounded by  the  barracks  of  the  Janizaries,  who,  as  the 
body  guard  of  the  monarch,  occupied  quarters  abutting 
on  those  of  the  Sultan. 


2$6        THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

.Near  the  third  gate  was  gathered  a  crowd  of  Janizar- 
ies, in  angry  debate  ;  for  as  soon  as  they  realized  that 
the  firm  and  experienced  hand  of  Amurath  was  no 
longer  on  the  helm,  the  pride  and  audacity  of  this 
corps  inaugurated  rebellion. 

"  The  Janizaries  have  saved  the  empire,  let  them 
enjoy  it,"  cried  one. 

"  Our  swords  extended  the  Moslem  power,  so  will 
we  have  extension  of  privilege,"  cried  another. 

"Why  should  Kalil  Pasha  be  Grand  Vizier  instead 
of  our  chief  Aga  ?  Kalil  is  one  of  the  Giaour  Orta- 
chi.* 

"  Down  with  the  Vizier  !  "  rang  among  the  barracks. 

"  A  mere  child  is  Padishah  !  one  of  no  judgment 
the  Hunkiar  !  " 

"  My  brothers,"  said  Captain  Ballaban.  "  You 
know  not  the  new  Padishah.  Well  might  Amurath 
have  said  to  him  what  Othman  said  to  Orchan: '  My 
son,  I  am  dying  :  and  I  die  without  regret,  because  I 
leave  such  a  successor  as  thou  art.'  Believe  me,  my 
brothers,  if  Mahomet  is  young,  he  is  strong.  If  he  is 
inexperienced  in  the  methods  of  government,  it  is 
because  heaven  wills  that  he  shall  invent  better  ones." 

"  Your  head  is  turned  by  the  Padishah's  favors," 
muttered  an  old  guardsman. 

"  But  am  I  not  a  Janizary  ?  "  cried  the  captain, 
"  and  it  is  as  a  Janizary  that  the  Padishah  loves  me, 
as  he  loves  us  all.  I  once  heard  him  say  that  the 
white  wool  on  a  Janizary's  cap  was  more  honorable 
than  the  horse  tail  on  the  tent  spear  of  another. 
Old  Selim  here  can  tell  you  that,  as  a  child,  Ma- 
*Brothers  of  the  infidels. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         257 

hornet  was  fonder  of  the  Janizary's  mess  than  of  the 
feast  in  the  harem." 

"  Yes,"  said  old  Selim,  with  voice  trembling  through 
age,  but  loud  with  the  enthusiasm  excited  by  the 
captain's  appeal.  "  My  hands  taught  Mahomet  his 
first  parries  and  thrusts  ;  and  he  would  sit  by  our  fire 
to  listen  to  the  stories  of  the  valor  of  our  corps,  and 
clap  his  hands,  and  cry  '  good  Selim,  I  would  rather 
be  a  Janizary  than  be  a  prince.' "  The  old  man's  eyes 
filled  with  tears  as  he  added,  "  And  all  the  four  thou- 
sand prophets  bless  the  Padishah  !  " 

While  this  scene  was  being  enacted  without,  the 
young  Sultan  was  reclining,  with  the  full  sense  of  his 
new  dignity,  upon  the  sofa  which  had  never  been 
pressed  except  by  the  person  of  royalty.  It  was 
covered  with  a  cloth  of  gold  and  crimson  velvet, 
relieved  by  fringes  of  pearls.  Before  it  was  spread 
a  carpet  of  silk,  an  inch  thick,  whose  softness,  both  of 
texture  and  tints,  made  a  luxuriant  contrast  with  its 
border,  which  was  crocheted  with  cords  of  silver  and 
gold.  The  walls  of  his  chamber  were  enriched  with 
tiles  of  alabaster,  agate,  and  turquoise.  The  ceiling 
was  plated  with  beaten  silver,  hatched  at  intervals  with 
mouldings  of  gold  ;  near  to  which  were  windows  of 
stained  glass  made  of  hundreds  of  pieces  closely  joined 
to  form  transparent  mosaic  pictures,  through  which  the 
variegated  light  flooded  the  apartment. 

Mahomet  was  himself  in  striking  contrast  with  his 
surroundings.  He  was  dressed  in  neglige,  with  loose 
gown,  large  slippers,  and  white  skull  cap. 

Before  the  Sultan  stood  the  Grand  Vizier,  Kalil, 
bedizened  in  the  costume  of  his  office : — an  enor- 


258  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

mous  turban  in  whose  twisted  folds  was  a  band  of 
gold  ;  a  bournous  of  brocade,  enlivened  by  flowers 
wrought  upon  it  in  green  and  red  ;  and  a  cashmere 
sash  gleaming  with  the  jewelled  handle  of  his  yataghan. 

"  They  are  even  now  in  revolt,  your  Majesty,"  said 
the  Vizier.  "  Your  safety  will  be  best  served  by  severe 
measures.  They  say  the  iron  has  not  grown  into  your 
nerves  yet." 

The  Sultan  colored.  After  a  moment's  pause  he 
replied.  "When  Captain  Ballaban  comes  we  will 
think  of  that  matter." 

"  The  captain  had  just  arrived  as  I  entered,  Sire." 

"  Then  announce  to  the  Janizaries  that  the  seven 
thousand  falconers  and  game  keepers  which  my  father 
allowed  to  eat  up  our  revenue,  as  the  bugs  infest  the 
trees,  are  abolished  ;  and  their  income  appropriated 
to  the  better  equipment  of  the  Janizaries." 

"  But,  Sire,  would  you  sharpen  the  fangs  of— 

"  Silence  !  I  have  said  it,"  said  Mahomet,  striking 
his  hand  on  his  knee.  "  But  what  is  this  demand 
from  Constantinople  ?  " 

"  That  the  pay  for  the  detention  of  your  Cousin 
Orkran  at  Constantinople  shall  be  doubled,  or  the 
Greeks  will  let  him  loose  to  contest  the  throne  with 
your  Majesty." 

"  Assent  to  the  demand,"  said  the  Sultan.  "  The 
time  will  the  sooner  come  to  avenge  the  insult,  if  we 
seem  not  to  see  it." 

The  Vizier  continued  looking  at  his  tablets.  "  Maria 
Sultana*  asks,  through  the  Kislar  Aga,  that  she  may 

*  One  of  the  sultanas  of  Amurath  II.  and  daughter  of  George 
Brankovitch,  Despot  of  Servia. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         259 

be  allowed,  since  the  death  of  her  lord,  to  return  to 
her  kindred." 

"  Let  her  go  !  She  is  a  Giaour  whose  cursed  blood 
was  not  bettered  by  six  and  twenty  years'  habitation 
with  my  father.  She  is  fair  enough  in  her  wrinkles 
for  some  Christian  prince,  and  George  Brankovitch 
needs  to  make  new  alliances." 

"  Hunyades  " — said  the  Vizier. 

"  Ay,  make  peace  with  him,  and  with  Scanderbeg, 
too,  if  that  wild  beast  can  be  tamed,  which  I  much 
doubt." 

The  Sultan  rose  from  his  cushion,  his  form  animated 
with  strong  excitement,  and,  putting  his  hand  upon 
the  shoulders  of  the  Vizier — who  drew  back  at  the 
strange  familiarity — and  looking  him  fixedly  in  the 
face,  he  whispered :  "  Everything  must  wait,"— 
and  the  words  hissed  in  the  hot  eagerness  with  which 
he  said  them — "  until — I  have  Constantinople." 

Turning  upon  his  heel,  he  withdrew  toward  his 
private  chamber. 

The  Sultan  threw  himself  upon  his  bed.  The  Capee 
Aga,  or  chief  of  the  white  eunuchs,  whose  duty  it  was 
to  act  as  valet-de-chambre,  as  well  as  to  stand  at  the 
right  hand  of  the  Sultan  on  state  occasions,  began  to 
draw  the  curtains  around  the  silver  posts  upon  which 
the  bed  rested. 

"You  may  leave  me,"  said  his  majesty.  "Nay, 
hold  !  Send  Captain  Ballaban  of  the  Janizaries." 

As  the  young  officer  entered,  the  face  of  the  Sultan 
relaxed. 

"  You  make  me  a  man  again,  comrade,"  said  he, 
grasping  his  hand.  "  These  few  days  playing  Sultan 


260         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

make  me  feel  as  old  as  the  empire.  I  hate  this  par- 
ade of  boring  viziers  and  mincing  eunuchs  ;  and  to 
be  shut  up  here  with  these  palace  proprieties  is  as  irk- 
some to  me  as  Timotir's  iron  cage  was  to  my  grand- 
father Bajazet.  I  think  I  shall  put  my  harem  on  horse- 
back, and  take  to  the  fields.  Scudding  out  of  Albania 
with  Scanderbeg  at  one's  heels  were  preferable  to 
this  busy  idleness.  You  have  had  a  rapid  ride  to  get 
from  Brusa  so  soon,  and  look  winded.  Roll  yourself 
on  that  wolf's  skin.  I  killed  that  fellow  in 
Caramania.  By  the  turban  of  Abraham  !  your  red 
head  looks  well  against  the  black  hide.  But  why 
don't  you  laugh  ?  Have  they  made  a  Padishah  of  you, 
too,  that  you  must  mask  your  face  with  care  ?  " 

"  I  have  a  care,  Sire,"  said  the  soldier. 

"  Tell  me  it,"  said  the  Sultan,  "  and  I'll  make  it  fly 
away  as  fast  as  the  Prophet's  horse  took  him  to  the 
seventh  heaven." 

"  The  Janizaries  are  restless,  Sire." 

"  Does  not  the  donative  I  have  announced  pacify 
them  ? " 

"  I  have  not  heard  of  it,"  said  the  officer. 

"  Listen  !  Is  not  that  their  shout  ? "  Shout  after 
shout  rent  the  air  from  the  court  without. 

The  Janizary  turned  pale  ;  but  in  a  moment  said, 
"  Your  donative  has  been  announced.  They  are 
cheering  your  Majesty." 

"  Long  live  the  Padishah  !  "  "  Long  life  to  Maho- 
met !  "  rang  again  and  again. 

"  I  thank  you,  Sire,"  eagerly  cried  the  young  man, 
kissing  the  hand  of  the  Sultan. 

"  What  else  would  they  have  ?  "  asked  he. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         261 

"  Nothing  but  chance  to  show  their  gratitude  by  vali- 
ant service,"  was  the  reply. 

"  This  they  shall  have,  with  you  to  lead  them," 
putting  his  hand  on  the  young  officer's  shoulder. 

"  Nay,  Sire,  I  may  not  supplant  those  who  are  my 
superiors  by  virtue  of  service  already  rendered." 

"  But  I  command  it.  The  corps  shall  to-morrow 
be  put  under  your  orders  as  their  chief  Aga." 

"  I  beg  your  Majesty  to  desist  from  this  purpose," 
said  Ballaban.  "  The  spirit  of  the  corps,  its  efficiency, 
depends  upon  the  strictest  observance  of  the  ancient 
rules  of  Orchan  and  Aladdin.  By  them  we  have  been 
made  what  we  are." 

"  But,"  cried  Mahomet  angrily,  "  there  shall  be 
no  other  will  than  mine  throughout  the  army." 

"  I  would  have  no  other  will  than  thine,  Sire,"  was 
the  response  ;  "  but  it  were  well  if  your  will  should  be 
to  leave  the  Janizaries'  rule  untouched." 

"  You  young  rebel !  cried  Mahomet,  half  vexed  yet 
half  pleased  as,  bursting  into  a  laugh,  he  dashed  over 
the  face  of  his  friend  a  jar  of  iced  sherbet  which  was 
upon  a  lacquered  stand  at  his  side. 

"  You  may  thank  the  devil  that  it  wasn't  the  arrow 
I  once  shot  you  with,"  said  the  playful  tyrant,  as  Bal- 
laban jumped  to  his  feet. 

"  If  you  were  not  the  Sultan  now,  I  would  pull 
you  from  the  bed,  as  I  pulled  you  from  your  horse 
that  day,"  replied  the  good-natured  favorite,  making  a 
motion  as  if  to  execute  the  threat. 

"You  are  right,"  said  Mahomet  rising.  "  I  am  Sul- 
tan !  Sultan  ?  pshaw  !  Yet  Sultan,  surely."  He  paced 
the  floor  in  deep  agitation,  and  at  length  said,  "  I 


262  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

have  a  duty  to  perform,  than  which  I  would  rather  cut 
off  my  arms." 

"  Let  me  do  the  deed,  though  it  takes  my  arm  and 
my  life,"  said  Ballaban  eagerly. 

"  You  know  not  what  it  is,  my  old  comrade." 

"  But  I  pledge  before  I  know,"  was  the  response 
which  came  from  stiffened  lips  and  bowed  head,  as 
the  captain  made  his  obeisance. 

The  Sultan  looked  him  in  the  face  long  and  earnestly, 
and  then,  turning  away,  said  : 

"  No  !  no  !  there  are  hands  less  noble  than  yours." 

"  But  try  me,  Sire." 

"  You  know  the  custom  of  our  ancestors,  approved 
by  the  wisdom  of  divans,  as  an  expedient  essential  to 
the  peace  and  safety  of  the  empire,  that — But  I  can  not 
speak  it:  nor  will  I  ask  it  of  you.  Leave  me,  Captain. 
Come  to-morrow  at  this  hour.  I  shall  need  the  relief 
of  your  company  then,  even  more  than  to-day." 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

AN   hour  later  the  Kislar  Aga,  chief  of  the  black 
eunuchs    in  charge    of  the  royal    harem,   was 
announced. 

"  Well,  Sinam,  have  any  of  your  herd    of  gazelles 
escaped  ? "  asked  the  Sultan. 

"  None.     But  Mira  Sultana  would  pay  her  homage 
at  your  Majesty's  feet." 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES,         263 

"  Mira,  the  Greek  ?  "  said  Mahomet,  the  deep  color 
rising  to  his  temples. 

Lowering  his  tone  to  a  whisper,  he  conversed  for  a 
few  moments  with  the  eunuch,  who  prostrated  himself 
upon  the  ground,  and  with  harsh,  yet  thin  voice,  said: 

"  Your  Majesty  is  wise,  very  wise.  Your  will  is  that 
of  Allah,  the  Great  Hunkiar.  It  shall  be  done." 

Mira  was  a  beautiful  woman.  The  light  texture  of 
her  robe  revealed  a  perfect  form  ;  and  the  thin  veil 
lent  a  charm  to  her  face,  such  as  shadows  send  across 
the  landscape. 

Mahomet  shuddered,  as  the  kneeling  woman 
embraced  his  feet.  The  words  of  her  congratulation 
to  the  young  monarch,  her  protestation  of  devotion  to 
him  as  to  his  father,  though  uttered  with  the  sweetest 
voice  he  had  ever  heard,  and  with  evident  honesty, 
sent  a  visible  tremor  through  the  frame  of  her  listener. 
And  when  she  added,  "  My  child,  Ahmed,  the  image 
of  his  noble  father  and  thine,  will  serve  thee  with  his 
life,  and" — 

"  It  is  well  !  It  is  well,"  interrupted  the  Sultan. 
"  Be  gone  now  !  " 

The  morning  following  was  one  in  which  the  hearts 
of  the  citizens  of  Adrianople  stood  almost  throbless 
with  horror.  Mothers  clasped  their  babes  with  a  shud- 
der to  their  breasts  ;  and  fathers  stroked  the  fair  hair 
of  their  boys,  and  thanked  Allah  that  no  tide  of  royal 
blood  ran  in  their  veins.  A  story  afterward  floated 
over  the  lands  of  Moslem  and  Christian,  as  terrible  as 
a  cloud  of  blood,  dropping  its  shadow  into  palace  and 
cottage,  and  dyeing  that  page  of  history  on  which 
Mahomet's  name  is  written  with  a  damning  blot. 


264         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

While  Mira  Sultana  was  bowing  at  the  feet  of  the 
new  monarch,  congratulating  him  upon  his  accession 
to  the  throne,  her  infant  son,  Ahmed,  half  brother  to 
Mahomet,  was  being  strangled  in  the  bath  by  his 
orders.  Another  son  of  Amurath,  Calapin,  had, 
through  his  mother's  timely  suspicion,  escaped  to  the 
land  of  the  Christians. 

It  was  late  in  the  day  when  Captain  Ballaban 
appeared  for  audience  with  the  Sultan.  His  Majesty 
was  apparently  in  the  gayest  of  moods. 

"  Come,  toss  me  the  dice  !  We  have  not  played 
since  I  laid  aside  my  manhood  and  put  on  the  Padi- 
shah's cloak.  Come  !  What  ?  Have  you  no  stake  to 
put  up  ?  Then  I  will  stake  for  both.  A  Turkoman, 
the  father  of  my  own  bride,  has  sent  me  a  bevy  of 
women,  Georgians,  with  faces  as  fair  as  the  shell  of  an 
ostrich's  egg,*  and  voices  as  sweet  as  of  the  birds  which 
sang  to  the  harp  of  David,  f  The  choice  to  him  who 
wins  !  What  !  does  not  that  tempt  the  cloud  to 
drift  off  your  face  ?  Then  have  your  choice  without 
the  toss.  What  !  still  brooding  ? "  added  he,  growing 
angry.  "  By  the  holy  house  at  Mecca  !  I'll  make 
you  laugh  if  I  tickle  your  ribs  with  my  dagger's  point." 

"  You  made  me  promise  that  I  would  be  true  to 
you,  my  Padishah,  and  if  I  should  laugh  to-day  I 
would  not  be  true,"  replied  Ballaban  quietly.  "  My 
face  wears  the  shadows  which  the  people  have  thrown 
into  it." 

"  The  people  ? "  said  Mahomet  growing  pale. 

*  The  type  of  a  beautiful  complexion  according  to  the  Koran, 
Chap.  XXXVII. 

f  Koran,  Chap.  XXXIV. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         265 

"  Ay,  the  people  have  heard  the  wailing  of  the 
Sultana." 

"  For  what  ?  Tell  me  for  what  ?  "  asked  the  Sultan 
with  feigned  surprise. 

Ballaban  narrated  the  story  which  was  on  every 
one's  lips. 

"  It  is  treason  against  me,"  cried  the  monarch. 
Summoning  the  Capee  Aga  he  bade  him  call  the 
divan. 

The  great  personages  of  the  empire  were  speedily 
gathered  in  the  audience  room.  At  the  right  of  the 
Sultan  stood  the  Grand  Vizier  and  three  subordinate 
viziers.  On  his  left  was  the  Kadiasker,  the  chief  of 
the  judges,  with  other  members  of  the  ulemaor  guild 
of  lawyers,  constituting  the  high  court.  The  Reis- 
Effendi,  or  clerk,  stood  with  his  tablets  before  the 
seat  of  the  Sultan.  The  rear  of  the  room  was  filled 
with  various  princes  and  high  officials. 

Turning  to  the  Kadiasker,  the  Sultan  asked: 

"  What  is  the  denomination  of  the  crime,  and  the 
penalty  of  him  who,  unbidden  by  the  Padishah,  shall 
put  to  death  a  child  of  royal  blood  ? " 

The  Kadiasker,  after  a  moment's  evident  surprise 
at  the  question,  pronounced  slowly  the  following 
decision: 

"  It  were  a  double  crime,  Sire,  being  both  murder 
and  treason.  And  if  perchance  the  child  were  father- 
less, let  a  triple  curse  come  upon  the  slayer.  For 
what  saith  the  Book  of  the  Prophet  ?*  '  They  who 
devour  the  possessions  of  orphans  unjustly,  shall 
swallow  down  nothing  but  fire  into  their  bellies,  and 
*Koran,  Chap.  IV. 


266         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

shall  broil  in  raging  flames.'  If  such  be  the  curse 
of  Allah  upon  him  who  shall  despoil  the  child  of  his 
rightful  goods,  much  more  does  Allah  bid  us  visit 
jwith  vengeance  one  who  despoils  the  child  of  that 
chief est  possession — his  life.  Such  is  the  law,  O  Zil 
Ullah."* 

Turning  to  the  Kislar  Aga,  Mahomet  commanded 
him  to  give  testimony. 

The  Nubian  trembled  as  he  looked  into  the  blanched 
face  of  the  Sultan  ;  but  soon  recovered  his  self  pos- 
session sufficiently  to  read  his  master's  thoughts,  and 
said, 

"  The  child  of  Mira  Sultana  was  found  dead  at  the 
bath  while  in  the  hands  of  Sayid." 

"  Was  Sayid  the  child's  appointed  attendant  ?  " 
asked  the  Kadiasker. 

"  He  was  not,"  was  the  response. 

"  Let  him  die  !  "  said  the  judge  slowly. 

"  Let  him  die  !  "  repeated  the  Grand  Vizier. 

The  Sultan  bowed  in  assent  and  withdrew. 

The  swift  vengeance  of  the  Padishah  was  hailed 
with  applause  by  the  officials,  as  if  it  had  erased  the 
blood  guilt  from  the  robe  of  royal  honor  ;  but  the  peo- 
ple shook  their  heads,  and  kept  shadows  on  their  faces 
for  many  days. 

"  I  tire  of  this  life  in  the  barracks,"  said  Captain 
Ballaban  to  the  Sultan,  shortly  after  this  event. 

"  Speak  honestly,  man,"  was  the  reply.  "  You  tire 
of  me  ;  my  heart  is  not  large  enough  to  entertain  one 
of  such  ambition." 

"  Nay,  Sire,  but  I  would  get  nearer  to  the  innermost 
*  Shadow  of  God,  one  of  the  titles  of  the  Sultan. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         267 

core  of  your  heart,  into  that  which  is  your  deepest 
desire." 

"  And  where,  think  you,  is  that  spot  ?  "  said  the  Sul- 
tan smiling. 

"  Constantinople,"  was  the  laconic  response. 

"  Ah  !  true  lover  of  mine  art  thou,  if  you  would  be 
there.  Until  I  put  the  Mihrab*  in  the  walls  of  St. 
Sophia,  I  shall  not  sleep  without  the  dream  that  I 
have  done  it.  Know  you  not  the  dream  of  Othman  ? 
how  the  leaves  of  the  tree  which  sprang  from  his 
bosom  when  the  fair  Malkhatoon,  the  mother  of  all  the 
Padishahs,  sank  upon  it,  were  shaped  like  cimeters, 
and  every  wind  turned  their  points  toward  Constanti- 
nople ?  My  waking  and  sleeping  thoughts  are  the 
leaves.  The  spirit  of  Othman  breathes  through  my 
soul  and  turns  them  thither.  Go  !  and  prepare  my 
coming.  The  walls  withstood  my  father  Amurath. 
Discover  why  ?  I  hear  that  Urban,  the  cannon  founder, 
is  in  the  pay  of  the  Greeks.  He  who  discovered  a 
way  to  turn  the  Dibrians  against  Sfetigrade  can  find  a 
way  to  turn  a  foreigner's  eyes  from  the  battered  crown 
of  the  Cgesars  to  something  brighter — Go,  and  Allah 
give  you  wisdom  !  " 

The  reader  is  acquainted  with  the  immediate  sequel 
of  Captain  Ballaban's  departure,  his  adventure  with 
the  Italian  desperadoes  at  the  old  reservoir,  and  his 
success  with  Urban. 

*  The  niche  in  mosques,  on  the  side  toward  Mecca,  in  the  di- 
rection of  which  the  Moslems  turn  their  faces  to  pray. 


268         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

THE  siege  and  capture  of  Constantinople  by  the 
Turks  in  1453,  was,  with  the  exception  of  the 
discovery  of  America,  the  most  significant  event  of 
the  fifteenth  century.  The  Eastern  Roman  Empire 
then  perished,  after  eleven  centuries  of  glory  and 
shame  ;  of  heroic  conquests,  and  pusillanimous  com- 
promises with  other  powers  for  the  privilege  of  exis- 
tence ;  exhibiting  on  its  throne  the  virtues  and  wis- 
dom of  Theodosius  and  Justinian,  and  the  vices  and 
follies  of  emperors  and  empresses  whose  names  it  were 
well  that  the  world  should  forget. 

But  the  historic  importance  of  the  siege  was  matched 
by  the  thrilling  interest  which  attaches  to  its  scenes. 

The  last  of  the  Constantines,  from  whose  hands  the 
queenly  city  was  wrested,  was  worthy  the  name  borne 
by  its  great  founder,  not,  perhaps,  for  his  display  of 
genius  in  government  and  command,  but  for  the  pious 
devotion  and  sacrificial  courage  with  which  he  defended 
his  trust.  A  band  of  less  than  ten  thousand  Christians, 
mostly  Greeks,  and  a  few  Latins  whose  love  for  the 
essential  truth  of  their  religion  was  stronger  than  their 
bigotry  for  sect,  withstood  for  many  weeks  the  hor- 
rors which  were  poured  upon  them  by  a  quarter  of  a 
million  Moslems.  These  foes  were  made  presumptu- 
ous by  nearly  a  century  of  unchecked  conquest ;  their 
hot  blood  boiled  with  fury  and  daring  excited  by  the 
promises  of  their  religion,  which  opened  paradise  to 
those  that  perished  with  the  sword  ;  and  they  were 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         269 

led  by  the  first  flashings  of  the  startling  genius  and 
audacity  of  Mahomet  II. 

The  Bosphorus  was  blockaded  six  miles  above  the 
city  by  the  new  fortress,  Rumili-Hissar,  the  Castle  of 
Europe  ;  answering  across  the  narrow  strait  to 
Anadolu-Hissari — the  Castles  of  Asia. 

A  fleet  of  three  hundred  Moslem  vessels  crowded 
the  entrance  to  the  Bosphorus,  to  resist  any  Western 
ally  of  the  Christians  that  might  have  run  the  gaunt- 
let of  forts  which  guarded  the  lower  entrance  to  Mar- 
mora. At  the  same  time  this  naval  force  threatened 
the  long  water  front  of  the  city  with  overwhelming 
assault.  The  wall  which  lay  between  the  sea  of 
Marmora  and  the  Golden  Horn,  and  made  the  city  a 
triangle,  looked  down  upon  armies  gathered  from  the 
many  lands  between  the  Euphrates  and  Danube  ; — 
the  feudal  chivalry  from  their  ziamets  under  magnifi- 
cently accoutred  beys  ;  the  terrible  Akindji,  the 
mounted  scourge  of  the  borders  of  Christendom  ;  the 
motley  hordes  of  Azabs,  light  irregular  foot-soldiers, 
— these  filling  the  plains  for  miles  away  : — while  about 
the  tents  of  the  Sultan  were  the  Royal  Horse  Guards, 
the  Spahis,  Salihdars,  Ouloufedji  and  Ghoureba, 
rivals  for  the  applause  of  the  nations,  as  the  most 
daring  of  riders  and  most  skilful  of  swordsmen  :  and 
the  Janizaries,  who  boasted  that  their  tread  was  as 
resistless  as  the  waves  of  an  earthquake. 

Miners  from  Servia  were  ready  to  burrow  beneath 
the  walls.  A  great  cannon  cast  by  Urban,  the  Dacian, 
who  had  deserted  from  the  Christian  to  the  Moslem 
camp,  gaped  ready  to  hurl  its  stone  balls  of  six  hun- 
dred pounds  weight.  It  was  flanked  by  two  almost 


270        THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

equally  enormous  fire-vomiting  dragons,  as  the  new 
artillery  was  called  :  while  fourteen  other  batteries  of 
lesser  ordnance  were  waiting  to  pour  their  still  novel 
destruction  upon  the  works.  Ancient  art  blended  with 
modern  science  in  the  attack  ;  for  battering  rams  sup- 
plemented cannon,  and  trenches  breast-deep  completed 
the  lines  of  shields.  Moving  forts  of  wood  antagon- 
ized, across  the  deep  moat,  the  old  stone  towers,  which 
during  the  centuries  had  hurled  back  their  assailants 
in  more  than  twenty  sieges.  The  various  hosts  of 
besiegers  in  their  daily  movements  were  like  the  folds 
of  an  enormous  serpent,  writhing  in  ever  contracting 
circles  about  the  body  of  some  helpless  prey.  From 
dawn  to  dark  the  walls  crumbled  beneath  the  pound- 
ing of  the  artillery  ;  but  from  dark  to  dawn  they  rose 
again  under  the  toil  of  the  sleepless  defenders. 

Thousands,  impelled  by  the  commands  of  the  Sul- 
tan, and  more,  perhaps,  by  the  prospect  of  reward  in 
this  world,  and  in  another,  out  of  which  bright-eyed 
houris  were  watching  their  prospective  lords,  mounted 
the  scaling  ladders  only  to  fill  with  their  bodies  the 
moat  beneath.  At  the  point  of  greatest  danger  the 
besieged  were  inspired  with  the  courage  of  their 
Emperor,  and  by  the  aid  of  the  bands  of  Italians  whom 
the  purse  and  the  appeals  of  John  Giustiniani  had 
brought  as  the  last  offering  of  the  common  faith  of 
Christendom  upon  the  great  altar  already  dripping 
with  a  nation's  blood. 

Sometimes  when  the  Christians,  whose  fewness 
compared  with  the  assailants  compelled  them  to  serve 
both  day  and  night,  were  discouraged  by  incessant 
danger  and  fatigue,  a  light  form  in  helmet  and  breast- 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.        271 

plate  moved  among  them,  regardless  of  arrows  and 
bullets  of  lead :  now  stooping  to  staunch  the  wounds 
of  the  fallen  ;  now  mounting  the  parapet,  where  scores 
of  stout  soldiers  shielded  her  with  their  bodies,  and 
hailed  her  presence  with  the  shout  of  "  The  Albanian  ! 
The  Albanian !  "  The  reverence  which  the  soldiers 
gave  to  the  devoted  nuns,  who  were  incessant  in  their 
ministry  of  mercy,  was  surpassed  by  that  with  which 
they  regarded  Morsinia.  She  had  become  in  their 
eyes  the  impersonation  of  the  cause  for  which  they 
were  struggling. 

The  interruption  by  the  war  of  the  negotiations 
with  the  Emir  of  Trebizond,  whose  daughter  had  been 
selected  as  the  imperial  spouse,  revived  the  rumors 
which  had  once  associated  the  fair  Albanian's  name 
with  that  of  his  Majesty  ;  and  gave  rise  to  a  nick- 
name, "  the  Little  Empress,"  which,  among  the  soldiers, 
came  to  be  spoken  with  almost  as  much  loyalty  of 
personal  devotion,  as  if  it  had  received  the  imperial 
sanction. 

Constantine's  solicitude  led  him  to  remonstrate  with 
Morsinia  for  the  exposure  of  her  person  to  the  dan- 
gers of  the  wall :  but  she  replied — 

"  Have  you  not  said,  my  dear  brother,  that  the 
defence  is  hopeless  ?  that  the  city  must  fall  ?  What 
fate  then  awaits  me  ?  The  Turks  have  service  for  men 
whom  they  capture,  which,  though  hard,  is  not  damn- 
ing to  body  and  soul.  What  if  they  send  you  to  the 
mines,  to  the  galleys  ?  What  if  they  slay  you  ?  You 
can  endure  that.  Yet  I  know  that  you  yourself  would 
perish  in  the  fight  before  you  would  submit  to  even 
such  a  fate.  But  what  is  the  destiny  of  a  woman  who 


272         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

shall  fall  into  their  hands  ?  It  is  better  to  die  than  to 
be  taken  captive.  And  is  not  yonder  breach  where  the 
men  of  the  true  God  are  giving  their  lives  for  their 
faith,  as  sacred  as  was  ever  an  altar  on  earth  ?  Is  not 
the  crown  of  martyrdom  better  than  a  living  death  in 
the  harem  of  the  infidel  ?  The  arrow  that  finds  me 
there  on  the  wall  shall  be  to  me  as  an  angel  from  heaven  ; 
and  a  death-wound  received  there  will  be  as  painless 
to  my  soul  as  the  kiss  of  God." 

"  But  this  must  not  be  !  "  cried  Constantine.  "  Our 
valor,  if  it  does  not  save  the  city,  may  lead  to  surren- 
der upon  terms  which  shall  save  all  the  lives  of  the 
people." 

"  It  is  impossible,"  replied  she.  "  His  Majesty 
informed  me  yesterday  that  Mahomet  had  pledged  to 
his  soldiers  the  spoil  of  the  city,  with  unlimited  license 
to  pillage." 

Constantine  was  silent,  but  at  length  added.  "  If 
worst  comes,  it  will  then  be  time  enough  to  expose 
your  life." 

"  But  the  end  is  near,  dear  Constantine.  The  city 
is  badly  provisioned.  The  poor  are  already  starving. 
The  garrison  is  on  allowance  which  can  sustain  it  but 
a  few  days.  Besides,  as  you  have  told  me,  the  Ital- 
ians are  at  feud  with  the  Greeks,  and  ready  to  open 
the  gates  if  famine  presses  upon  them." 

"  Yes,  curses  on  the  head  of  that  monk  Gennadius, 
who  sends  insult  to  our  allies  every  day  from  his  cell ! " 
muttered  Constantine.  "  But  I  cannot  see  you  in  dan- 
ger, Morsinia.  Promise  me — for  your  life  is  dearer 
to  me  than  my  own — that  you  will  not  go  upon  the 
walls.  I  need  not  the  solemn  oath  to  our  brave  Cas- 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          273 

triot,  and  that  to  our  father  Kabilovitsch,  that  I  will 
guard  you.  But,  if  not  for  my  sake,  then  for  their 
sake,  take  my  counsel.  I  know  that  you  are  under  the 
special  care  of  the  Blessed  Jesu.  Has  He  not  shielded 
us  both — me  for  your  sake — many  times  before  ?  " 

"  Your  words  are  wise,  my  brother.  You  need  not 
urge  the  will  of  Castriot  and  father  Kabilovitsch,  for 
your  own  wish  is  to  me  as  sacred  as  that  of  any  one  on 
earth,"  said  she,  looking  him  in  the  eyes  with  the  rev- 
erence of  affection,  and  yielding  to  his  embrace  as  he 
kissed  her  forehead. 

"  But,"  added  she,  "  I  must  exact  of  you  one  prom- 
ise." 

"  Any  thing,  my  darling,  that  is  consistent  with  your 
safety,"  was  the  quick  reply. 

"  It  is  this.  Promise  me,  by  the  Virgin  Mother  of 
God,  that  you  will  not  allow  me  to  become  a  living 
captive  to  the  Turk." 

"  Not  if  my  life  can  shield  you.     This  you  know  !  " 

"  Yes,  I  would  not  ask  that,  but  something  harder 
than  that  you  should  die  for  me." 

A  pallor  spread  over  the  face  of  Constantine,  for  he 
suspected  her  meaning,  yet  asked,  "  And  what — what 
may  that  be  ? " 

"  Take  my  life  with  your  own  hand,  rather  than  that 
a  Turk  should  touch  me,"  said  Morsinia,  without  the 
slightest  tremor  in  her  voice. 

Constantine  stood  aghast.  Morsinia  continued,  taking 
his  strong  right  hand  in  hers,  and  raising  it  to  her 
lips — 

"  That  were  joy,  indeed,  if  the  hand  of  him  who 
loves  me,  the  hand  which  has  saved  me  from  danger 
18 


274         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

so  often — could  redeem  me  from  this  which  I  fear 
more  than  a  thousand  deaths  !  Promise  me  for  love's 
sake  ! " 

"  I  may  not  promise  such  a  thing,"  said  the  young 
lover,  with  a  voice  which  showed  that  her  request 
had  cut  him  to  the  heart. 

"  Then  you  love  me  not,"  said  the  girl,  turning 
away. 

But  the  look  upon  Constantine's  face  showed  the 
terrible  tragedy  which  was  in  his  soul,  and  that  such 
an  accusation  brought  it  too  near  its  culmination. 
Instantly  she  threw  herself  into  his  arms. 

"  Forgive  me  !  forgive  me  !  "  cried  she.  "  I  will 
not  impugn  that  love  which  has  proved  itself  too 
often.  But  let  us  speak  calmly  of  it.  Why  should 
you  shrink  from  this  ?  "  she  asked,  leading  him  to  a 
seat  beside  her. 

"  Because  I  love  you.  My  hand  would  become 
paralyzed  sooner  than  touch  rudely  a  hair  of  your 
head." 

"  Nay,  in  that  you  do  not  know  yourself,"  said 
Morsinia.  "  Would  you  not  pluck  a  mole  from  my 
face  if  I  was  marred  by  it  in  your  eyes  ! " 

"  But  that  would  be  to  perfect,  not  to  harm  you," 
said  Constantine. 

"  And  did  you  not  hold  the  hand  of  the  poor  soldier 
to-day,  while  the  leech  was  cutting  him,  lest  the 
gangrene  should  infect  his  whole  body  with  poison  ? 
And  would  you  not  have  done  so  had  he  been  your 
long  lost  brother,  Michael,  whom  you  loved  ?  And 
would  you  not  have  done  it  more  willingly  because 
you  loved  him  ?  " 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         275 

"  Yes,"  said  Constantine,  "  but  that  would  be  to 
save  life,  not  to  destroy  it." 

"  But  what,  ray  brother  dear,  is  the  fairness  of  a 
face  compared  with  the  fairness  of  honor  ?  What  the 
breath  of  the  body,  when  both  the  body  and  the  soul 
in  it  are  threatened  with  contamination  of  such 
an  existence  as  every  woman  receives  from  the 
Turk  ?  " 

"  I  cannot  argue  with  you,  Morsinia.  My  nature 
rebels  against  the  deed  you  propose." 

"  But,"  replied  she,  "  is  not  love  nobler,  and  should 
it  not  be  stronger,  than  nature  ?  If  nature  should 
rebel  against  love,  let  love  crush  the  rebellion,  and 
show  its  sovereignty.  If  my  hand  should  tremble  to 
do  aught  that  your  true  service  required,  I  would 
accuse  my  hand  of  lack  of  devotion.  But  I  think 
that  men  do  not  know  the  fulness  of  love  as  women 
do." 

"  Let  me  ask  the  question  of  you,  Morsinia,"  replied 
the  young  lover  after  a  pause.  "  Could  you  take  my 
life  as  I  lie  here  ?  Will  your  hand  mix  the  poison  to 
put  to  my  lips  in  the  event  of  the  Turk  entering  the 
city  ?  My  life  will  be  worse  than  death  in  its  bitter- 
ness if  you  are  lost  to  me." 

Morsinia  pondered  the  question,  growing  pale 
with  the  fearfulness  of  the  thought.  For  a  while  she 
was  speechless.  The  imagination  started  by  Constan- 
tine's  question  seemed  to  stun  her.  She  stared  at 
the  vague  distance.  At  length  she  burst  into  tears, 
and  laying  her  head  upon  her  companion's  shoulder, 
said: 

"  I  love  you  too  dearly,  Constantine,  to  ask  that  of 


276          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

you  which  you  shrink  from  doing.  There  is  another 
who  can  render  me  the  service." 

"  Who  would  dare  ?  "  said  Constantine,  rising  and 
gazing  wildly  at  her.  "  Who  would  dare  to  touch  you, 
even  at  your  own  bidding  ?  " 

"  I  would,"  said  Morsinia  quietly.  "  And  this  I  shall 
save  for  the  moment  when  I  need  the  last  friend  on 
earth,"  she  added,  drawing  from  her  dress  the  bright 
blade  of  an  Italian  stiletto.  "  Perhaps,  my  heart  would 
tremble,  and  my  flesh  shrink  from  the  sharp  point, 
though  I  love  not  myself  as  I  love  you." 

"  Let  us  talk  no  more  of  this,"  said  Constantine, 
"  but  leave  it  for  the  hour  of  necessity,  which  happily 
I  think  will  not  soon  come.  I  must  tell  you  now  for 
what  I  sought  you.  I  have  been  ordered  this  very 
night  to  aid  in  a  venture  which,  heaven  grant  !  shall 
re-provision  the  city.  Several  large  galleys,  laden  with 
corn  and  oil,  are  now  coming  up  the  sea  from  Genoa. 
If  they  see  the  cordon  of  the  enemy's  ships  drawn 
across  the  harbor,  not  knowing  the  extremity  to  which 
the  city  is  reduced,  they  may  return  without  venturing 
an  encounter.  I  am  to  reach  them,  and,  if  possible, 
induce  them  to  cut  their  way  through.  The  great 
chain  at  the  entrance  to  the  Golden  Horn  will  be  low- 
ered at  the  opportune  moment,  and  all  the  shipping 
in  the  harbor  will  make  an  attack  upon  the  enemy's 
fleet.  Of  this  our  allies  must  be  informed.  As  soon 
as  it  is  dark  I  shall  drift  in  a  swift  little  skiff  between 
these  Turkish  boats  ;  and  before  the  dawn  I  shall 
be  far  down  on  Marmora.  To-morrow  night,  if 
your  prayers  are  offered,  Jesu  will  grant  us  suc- 
cess." 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         2?7 

With  a  kiss  he   released   himself  from  her  embrace 
and  was  gone. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

pONSTANTINE  eluded  the  heavy  boats  of  the 
\j  Turks,  which  were  anchored  to  prevent  their  drift- 
ing away  upon  the  swift  current  with  which  the  Black 
Sea  discharges  itself  through  the  Bosphorus  into  Mar- 
mora. Upon  meeting  the  befriending  galleys,  it  was  with 
little  difficulty  that  he  persuaded  the  Genoese  captains 
to  risk  the  encounter  with  the  Turkish  fleet.  As  Con- 
stantine  pointed  out  to  the  Italian  captains,  the  enor- 
mous navy  of  the  blockaders,  formed  in  the  shape  of 
a  crescent,  and  stretched  from  the  wall  of  the  city 
across  to  the  Asiatic  shore,  presented  a  more  formida- 
ble obstacle  to  the  eye  than  to  the  swift  and  skilfully 
manned  Genoese  galleys.  The  Turkish  boats  were 
generally  but  small  craft,  and  laden  down  to  the  wa- 
ter's edge  with  men.  The  Genoese  had  four  galleys, 
together  with  one  which  belonged  to  Byzantium 
These  were  vessels  of  the  largest  size,  constructed 
by  men  who  had  learned  to  assert  their  prowess  as 
lords  of  the  sea.  They  were  armed  with  cannon 
adapted  to  sweep  the  deck  of  an  adversary  at  short 
range  : — a  weapon  which  the  Turks  had  not  yet  floated, 
though  they  were  in  advance  of  the  Christians  in  us- 
ing such  artillery  on  land.  The  high  sides  of  the 


278          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

Christian  galleys,  moreover,  prevented  their  being 
boarded  except  with  dangerous  climbing,  while  the 
defenders  stood  ready  to  pour  the  famous  liquid  called 
"  Greek  fire "  upon  the  heads  of  those  who  should 
attempt  it.  Besides,  heaven  favored  the  Christians  ; 
for  a  strong  gale  was  blowing,  which,  while  it  tossed  the 
boats  of  their  adversaries  beyond  their  easy  control, 
filled  the  sails  of  the  Genoese,  and  sent  them  bounding 
over  the  waves  :  the  oarsmen  sitting  ready  to  catch 
deftly  into  the  bending  billows  with  their  blades. 
Each  of  the  five  vessels  chose  for  a  target  a  large  one 
of  the  Turks,  and  clove  it  with  its  iron  prow  :  while 
the  cannon  swept  the  Turkish  soldiers  by  hundreds 
from  other  boats  near  to  them.  Passing  through  the 
thin  crescent,  the  Christian  galleys  skilfully  tacked,  and, 
careening  upon  their  sides,  again  assailed  the  Turks  be- 
fore they  could  evade  their  swift  and  resistless  mo- 
mentum. Again  and  again  the  galleys  passed,  like  shut- 
tles on  a  loom,  through  the  line  of  the  enemy,  sinking 
the  unwieldy  hulks  and  drowning  the  crowded  crews. 

From  the  walls  and  house  tops  of  the  city  went  up 
huzzas  for  the  victors  and  praises  to  heaven.  From 
the  shores  of  Asia,  and  from  below  the  city  wall,  thou- 
sands of  Moslems  groaned  their  imprecations.  The 
Sultan  raged  upon  the  beach,  as  he  saw  one  after  an- 
other of  his  pennants  sink  beneath  the  waves.  Dash- 
ing far  into  the  sea  upon  his  horse,  he  vented  his  im- 
potent fury  in  beating  the  water  with  his  mace,  shriek- 
ing maledictions  into  the  laughing  winds,  and  invoking 
upon  the  Christians  curses  from  all  the  Pagan  gods 
and  Moslem  saints. 

At  one  moment  the  Byzantine  galley  was  nearly 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         279 

overcome,  having  been  caught  in  a  group  of  Turkish 
boats,  whose  occupants  climbed  her  sides,  and  did 
murderous  work  among  the  crew.  Though  ultimately 
rescued  by  the  Genoese,  it  was  only  after  severe  loss. 

But  above  all  other  casualties  the  Christians 
mourned  the  fate  of  young  Constantine.  With  almost 
superhuman  strength  he  had  cut  down  several  assail- 
ants ;  but  was  finally  set  upon  by  such  odds  that  he 
was  pressed  over  the  low  bulwarks,  and  fell  into  the 
sea.  The  galley  with  its  consorts  made  way  to  the 
chain  at  the  entrance  to  the  Golden  Horn,  where  the 
rich  stores,  a  thousand  times  richer  now  in  the 
necessity  which  they  relieved,  were  received  amid  the 
acclamations  of  the  grateful  Greeks. 

But  woe, — Oh,  so  heavy  !  crushed  one  solitary 
heart.  Her  eyes  stared  wildly  at  the  messenger  who 
brought  the  fatal  tidings  ;  and  stared,  hour  by 
hour,  in  their  stony  grief,  upon  the  wall  of  her 
apartment.  Kind  attendants  spoke  to  her,  but  she 
heard  them  not.  Her  soul  seemed  to  have  gone 
seeking  in  other  worlds  the  soul  of  her  lover.  The 
servants,  awed  by  the  majesty  of  her  sorrow,  sat 
down  in  the  court  without,  and  waited  :  but  she  called 
them  not.  Daylight  faded  into  darkness.  The  lamp 
which  was  brought  she  waved  with  her  hand  to  have 
taken  away.  The  maidens  who  came  to  disrobe  her 
for  the  night  found  her  bowed  with  her  face  upon  the 
couch  ;  and,  receiving  no  response  to  their  proffered 
offices,  retired  again  to  wait. 

The  morning  came  ;  and  the  cheer  of  the  sunlight 
which,  quickening  the  outer  world,  poured  through 
the  windows  high  in  the  walls  of  her  apartment, 


280         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

seemed  to  awaken  her  from  her  trance.  But  how 
changed  in  appearance  !  The  ruddy  hue  of  health, 
and  the  bronzing  of  daily  exposure  to  the  open  air, 
seemed  alike  to  have  been  blanched  by  that  which  had 
taken  hope  from  her  soul.  Her  eyes  were  sunken, 
and  the  lustre  in  them,  though  not  lessened,  now 
seemed  to  come  from  an  infinite  depth — from  some 
distant,  inner  world  which  had  lost  all  relation  to  this, 
as  a  passing  star.  Morsinia  rose,  weak  at  first ;  but 
her  limbs  grew  strong  with  the  imparted  strength  of 
her  will.  She  ate  ;  and  speaking  aloud — but  more  in 
addressing  herself  than  her  attendants — said:  "  I  will 
away  to  the  walls  !  " 

Through  the  masses  of  debris,  and  among  the 
groups  of  men  who  were  resting  and  waiting  to  take 
the  places  of  their  wearied  comrades  on  the  ramparts, 
she  went  straight  to  the  gate  of  St.  Romanus,  where 
the  assaults  were  most  incessant.  The  cry  of  "  The 
Little  Empress !  "  gave  way  to  that  of  "  The  Panurgia  ! 
The  Panurgia  !  "  *  as  some,  though  familiar  with 
her  form,  were  startled  by  the  almost  unearthly  change 
of  her  countenance.  She  returned  no  salutation  as  was 
usual  with  her,  but,  as  if  impelled  by  some  superhu- 
man purpose,  her  beauty  lit  as  with  a  halo  by  the 
majesty  of  a  celestial  passion,  she  climbed  the  steps 
into  the  tottering  tower  above  the  gate.  A  strong, 
but  gentle  hand  was  put  upon  her  arm.  It  was  that 
of  the  Emperor. 

"  My  daughter,  you  must  not  be  here.  Come  away  !  " 

*  The  Panurgia,  a  name  given  to  the  Holy  Virgin,  who  at  a 
former  siege  of  Constantinople,  in  1422,  was  imagined  to  have 
appeared  upon  the  wall  for  its  defense. 


THE  CA  P  TA  IN  OF  THE  JA  NIZA  RIES.  281 

She  looked  at  him  for  an  instant  in  hesitation  ;  and 
then,  bowing  her  head,  responded  in  scarcely  audible 
voice : 

"  I  will  obey  you,  Sire,"  and  added,  speaking  to 
herself — 

"  It  is  fa's  will  too." 

"  I  know  your  grief,"  said  his  majesty  kindly, 
"  and  now,  as  your  Emperor,  I  must  protect  you 
against  yourself." 

"  I  want  no  protection,"  cried  the  broken-hearted 
girl.  "  Oh,  let  me  die  !  For  what  should  I  live  ?  " 

"  My  dear  child,"  said  the  Emperor  with  trembling 
voice,  while  the  tears  filled  his  eyes.  "  In  other  days 
your  holy  faith  taught  me  how  to  be  strong.  Now,  in 
your  necessity,  let  me  repeat  to  you  the  lesson.  For 
what  shall  you  live?  For  what  should/  live?  I  am 
Emperor,  but  my  empire  is  doomed.  I  live  no  longer 
for  earthly  hope,  but  solely  to  do  duty  ;  nothing  but 
duty,  stern  duty,  painful  every  instant,  crushing 
always,  but  a  burden  heaven  imposed  on  a  breaking 
heart.  That  heaven  appoints  it — that,  and  that  alone — 
makes  me  willing  to  live  and  do  it.  When  the  time 
comes  I  shall  seek  death  where  the  slain  lie  the 
thickest.  But  not  to-day  ;  for  to-day  I  can  serve. 
Live  for  duty  !  Live  for  God  !  The  days  may  not  be 
many  before  we  shall  clasp  hands  with  those  who, 
now  invisible,  are  looking  upon  us.  Let  us  go  and 
cheer  the  living  before  we  seek  the  companionship  of 
the  dead." 

As  the  Emperor  spoke,  his  face  glowed  with  a 
majesty  of  soul  which  made  the  symbol  of  earthly  maj- 
esty that  adorned  his  brow  seem  poor  indeed. 


282          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

Gazing  a  moment  with  reverent  amazement  at  the 
man  who  had  already  received  the  divine  anointing 
for  the  sacrifice  of  martyrdom  he  was  so  soon  to  offer, 
Morsinia  responded  : 

"  Your  words,  Sire,  come  to  me  as  from  the  lips  of 
God.  I  will  go  and  pray,  and  then — then  I  shall  live 
for  duty." 


CHAPTER  XL. 

MAHOMET  had  not  expended  all  his  petulant  rage 
upon  feelingless  waves  and  distant  Christians. 
He  summoned  to  his  presence  the  Admiral  of  his 
defeated  fleet,  Baltaoghli,  and  ordered  that  he  should 
be  impaled. 

The  Admiral  had  shown  as  much  naval  skill  as  could, 
perhaps,  have  been  exhibited  with  the  unwieldy  boats 
at  his  command  ;  and,  moreover,  had  brought  from 
the  fight  an  eyeless  socket  to  attest  his  bravery  and 
devotion.  The  penalty,  therefore,  which  Mahomet 
attached  to  his  misfortune,  brought  cries  of  entreaty 
in  his  behalf  from  other  brave  officers,  especially  from 
the  leading  Janizaries.  This  opposition  at  first  con- 
firmed the  determination  of  the  irate  despot.  But 
soon  the  petition  of  the  honored  corps  swelled  into  a 
murmur,  which  the  more  experienced  of  his  advisers 
persuaded  Mahomet  to  heed. 

The  Sultan  had  schooled  himself  to  obey  the  precept 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.        283 

which  Yusef,  the  eunuch,  who  instructed  his  childhood, 
had  imparted,  viz,  "  Make  passion  bend  to  policy." 
He  therefore  apparently  yielded,  so  far  at  least  as  to 
compromise  with  those  whom  he  feared  to  offend,  and 
commuted  the  Admiral's  sentence  to  a  flogging. 

The  brave  man  was  stretched  upon  the  ground  by 
four  slaves.  Turning  to  Captain  Ballaban,  the  Sultan 
bade  him  lay  on  the  lash.  Ballaban  hesitated.  Draw- 
ing near  to  Mahomet,  he  said  respectfully,  but  firmly, 

"  The  Janizaries  are  soldiers,  not  executioners,  Sire." 

Mahomet's  rage  burst  as  suddenly  as  powder  under 
the  spark. 

"  Away  with  the  rebel !  "  cried  he.  "  We  will  find 
the  executioner  for  him,  too,  who  dares  to  disobey  our 
orders." 

Seizing  his  golden  mace,  the  Sultan  himself  beat  the 
prostrate  form  of  the  Admiral  until  it  was  senseless. 

Wearying  of  his  bloody  work,  Mahomet  glared  like  a 
half  satiated  beast  upon  those  about  him. 

"  Where  is  the  damned  rebel  who  dares  dispute  my 
will  ?  Did  no  one  arrest  him  ?" 

"  The  order  was  not  so  understood,"  said  an  Aga 
who  was  near. 

"  You  understand  it  now,"  growled  the  infuriated, 
yet  half-ashamed,  monarch.  "  Arrest  him  ! — But  no  ! 
Let  these  slaves  go  search  for  the  runaway.  It  shall 
be  their  office  to  deal  with  one  who  dares  to  break 
with  my  will." 

The  Janizaries  returned  to  their  places  near  the 
walls. 

Mahomet  was  ill  at  ease  when  his  better  judgment 
displaced  his  unwise  passion.  His  love  for  Ballaban, 


284         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

the  manliness  of  the  captain's  reply  to  the  unreasona- 
ble order,  and  the  danger  of  injuring  one  who  stood 
so  high  in  the  estimate  of  the  entire  Janizary  corps, 
were  not  outweighed  even  by  the  sense  of  the  indig- 
nity which  the  act  of  disobedience  had  put  upon  the 
royal  authority. 

The  slaves,  not  daring  to  venture  among  the  Jani- 
zaries in  their  search  for  Captain  Ballaban,  easily  per- 
suaded themselves  that  he  must  have  fled  ;  and  that, 
perhaps,  he  might  be  lurking  somewhere  on  the  shore, 
as  this  was  the  only  way  of  escape.  Their  search  was 
rewarded.  Though  in  the  disguise  of  scant  garments, 
utterly  exhausted  so  that  he  could  make  no  resistance, 
their  victim  was  readily  recognized  by  his  form  and 
features,  which  were  too  peculiar  to  be  mistaken. 
The  captain  had  apparently  attempted  to  escape  by 
water  ;  perhaps,  had  ventured  upon  some  chance 
kaik  or  raft,  and  been  wrecked  in  the  caldron  which 
the  strong  south  wind  made  with  the  current  pouring 
from  the  north. 

His  wet  garments,  such  as  he  had  not  stripped  off, 
and  his  exhausted  look  confirmed  their  theory. 

One  of  their  number  brought  the  report  to  the  Grand 
Vizier,  Kalil,  who  repeated  it  to  the  Sultan. 

"  I  will  deal  with  him  in  person.  Let  no  one  know 
of  the  capture  until  I  have  seen  him,"  said  Mahomet, 
seeking  an  opportunity  to  revoke  the  threat  against 
his  friend,  which  he  had  uttered  in  insane  rage  ;  and, 
at  the  same  time,  to  cover  his  imperial  dignity  by  the 
semblance  of  a  trial. 

The  culprit  was  brought  in  the  early  evening  to  the 
Sultan's  tent.  A  large  lantern  of  various  colored  crys- 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          285 

tals  hung  from  the  ridge-pole,  and  threw  its  beauti- 
ful, but  partly  obscured,  light  over  the  arraigned 
man. 

His  captors  had  clothed  him  in  the  uniform  of  the 
Janizaries. 

"  His  face  has  a  strange  look,  as  if  another's  soul 
had  taken  lodging  behind  the  familiar  lineaments," 
the  Sultan  remarked  to  Kalil  as  he  scanned  the  cul- 
prit closely. 

"  Do  you  know,  knave,  in  whose  presence  you 
are  ?  "  said  Mahomet,  sternly. 

"  I  know  not,  Sire,  except  that  the  excellent  adorn- 
ment of  your  person  and  pavilion  suggest  that  I  am 
in  the  presence  of  his  majesty  the — " 

"  Silence,  villain  !  do  you  mock  me  ? "  cried  the 
Padishah,  in  surprise  at  the  man's  assumed  ignor- 
ance. 

"  I  mock  thee  not,  Sire,"  said  the  victim,  bowing  with 
courtly  reverence,  and  speaking  in  a  sort  of  patois  of 
Greek  and  Turkish.  "  But  I  was  about  to  say  that  I 
know  thee  not,  except  that  from  the  excellence  of  thy 
person  and  estate  thou  art  none  less  " 

"  Silence,  you  dog  !  This  is  no  time  for  your  famil- 
iar jesting,  Ballaban.  Speak  pure  tongue,  or  I'll 
cut  thine  from  thy  head  !  "  interrupted  the  Padi- 
shah. 

"  I  speak  as  best  I  can,"  replied  the  man,  "  for  I 
was  not  brought  up  to  the  Turkish  tongue.  I  presume 
that  I  address  the  king  of  the  Turks." 

"  Miserable  wretch  !  "  hissed  his  majesty,  drawing 
his  jewelled  sword.  "  Dare  you  call  me  king  of  the 
Turks  ?  TURKS  !  thou  circumcised  Christian  dog  !  thou 


286         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

pup  of  Nazarene  parentage  !  thou  damned  infidel, 
beplastered  with  Moslem  favors  !  "  * 

<:  It  would  seem  that  I  needed  Moslem  favors,  which 
in  my  destitute  condition  and  imminent  danger,  1 
most  humbly  crave,"  replied  the  object  of  this 
contumely. 

"  Are  you  mad  ?  "  shrieked  the  Sultan,  rising  and 
glaring  into  the  other's  face.  "  You  are  mad,  man. 
Poor  soul  !  Ay !  Ay  !  I  see  it  now.  Some  demon  has 
possessed  you.  Some  witch  has  blown  on  the  knots 
against  you."  f 

"  I  am  not  mad,  Sire,"  said  the  culprit,  "but  a  poor 
castaway  on  your  coast." 

"  Hear  him,  poor  fellow  !  so  mad  that  he  knows  not 
himself.  Well  !  well !  I  must  forgive  you  then  for 
not  knowing  me,"  said  Mahomet,  with  genuine  pity. 
"  Did  you  love  me  so,  old  comrade,  that  my  harsh 
words  knocked  over  your  reason  ?  or  did  your  reason, 
toppling  over,  lead  you  to  challenge  me  as  you 
did  ?  We  must  cure  this  malady,  though  it  takes  the 
treasure  of  the  empire  to  do  it."  Lowering  his  voice 
he  addressed  the  Vizier  : 

"  I  could  not  believe  that  my  faithful  comrade  would 
have  rebelled.  It  was  not  he,  but  the  demon  who 
has  possessed  him.  Think  you  not  so,  good  Kalil  ?  " 

*  TheOttomans  regard  the  appellation  of  "  King  of  the  TURKS  " 
as  an  insult,  since  the  Turks  are  comparatively  few  of  the  many 
subjects  of  the  Sultan  in  Europe.  Some  of  the  most  distinguished 
servants  of  the  empire  are  of  Christian  parentage,  and  either  have 
been  conquered  or  have  voluntarily  submitted  to  the  domin- 
ation of  the  Moslem. 

f  The  Moslem  superstition  led  them  to  believe  that  witches,  by 
tying  knots  in  a  cord  and  blowing  on  them,  brought  evil  to  the 
person  they  had  in  mind. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         287 

The  Vizier  bowed  in  assent  to  the  Sultan's  theory, 
and  whispered,  "  It  provides  a  wise  escape  from  antag- 
onizing the  Janizaries.  But  you  should  summon  a 
physician." 

Clapping  his  hands,  an  attendant  appeared,  who 
was  dispatched  for  the  court  physician  ;  a  man  of 
fame  in  his  profession,  whose  duty  it  was  to  be  always 
within  call  of  the  Sultan. 

The  physician  entering,  examined  the  culprit, 
looking  into  his  eyes,  balancing  his  head  between  his 
hands  to  determine  if  there  were  any  sudden  disturb- 
ance of  the  proportionate  avoirdupois ;  noting  if 
his  tongue  lay  in  the  middle  of  his  mouth,  and  feel- 
ing his  pulse.  At  length  he  said  in  low  voice  to  the 
Sultan  and  Vizier  : 

"  There  is,  Sire,  no  outward  evidences  of  lacking 
wit.  I  would  have  him  speak." 

"  He  is  the  Janizary,  Captain  Ballaban,"  whispered 
the  Vizier.  "  You  will  observe  that  the  wit  is  clean 
gone  from  him.  Tell  us  your  story,  Ballaban,  or 
whoever  you  are." 

"  I  beg  the  favor  of  your  excellency,  your  lord- 
ship, Sire  ;  for,  since  you  deny  that  you  are  the  king 
of  the  Turks,  I  know  not  what  title  to  give  to  your 
authority.  I  am  your  prisoner.  I  fought  on  the 
Byzantine  galley  as  Jesu  gave  me  strength,  but  was 
unfortunate  enough  to  fall  overboard,  and  fortunate 
enough  to  avoid  capture  by  the  Turkish  boats,  as  I 
dived  beneath  them,  or  rested  myself  below  their 
sterns  until  I  reached  the  shore.  But  as  heaven 
willed  it,  I  landed  below  the  walls  of  the  city.  I  was 
altogether  weaponless,  having  shuffled  off  my  armor 


288        THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

that  I  might  swim — and  altogether  blown  by  my  effort 
— or,  by  the  bones  of  Abraham !  I  had  never  been 
captured  by  the  cowardly  slaves  you  sent.  I  ask  only 
the  treatment  of  an  honorable  enemy." 

"  By  the  beard  of  the  Prophet  !  "  exclaimed  Mahomet 
"  if  he  were  a  Christian  I  would  give  him  liberty  for 
the  valor  of  his  speech.  Some  of  the  spirit  of  our 
gallant  Ballaban  is  still  left  in  him.  The  witches 
could  not  take  the  great  heart  out  of  him,  though  they 
stole  away  his  wits.  What  say  you,  Sage  Murta  ?  " 
The  physician  replied,  knitting  his  brows  and  strok- 
ing his  chin — 

"  The  Padishah  is  wise.  The  man  is  mad.  But 
since  his  heart  is  not  touched  by  the  demon,  but  only 
his  memory  erased  and  his  imagination  distorted,  my 
science  tells  me  there  is  hope  of  his  cure." 

"  What  medicament  have  you  for  a  diseased  mind  ?" 
asked  the  Sultan. 

With  reverent  pomposity,  but  in  low  voice  not  over- 
heard by  the  patient,  the  physician  uttered  the  pre- 
scription : 

"  First,  we  have  the  religious  cure — if  so  be  that 
the  man  is  under  the  charm  of  the  evil  spirits — Find 
thee  a  cord  with  eleven  knots  tied  on  it : — for  such  was 
the  number  on  the  cord  with  which  the  daughters  of 
Lobeid,  the  Jew,  bewitched  the  Prophet.  Asthou  un- 
tiest  the  knots  repeat  the  last  two  chapters  of  the 
Koran,  which  the  Angel  Gabriel  revealed  as  the  talis- 
man, saying — 

"  '  I  fly  for  refuge  unto  the  Lord  of  the  daybreak,  that 
he  may  deliver  me  from  the  mischief  of  the  night, 
when  it  cometh  on  ;  and  from  the  mischief  of  women, 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         289 

blowing  on  the  knots  ;  and  from  the  mischief  of  the 
envious  ;  and  from  the  mischief  of  the  whisperer,  the 
devil,  who  slyly  withdraweth,  who  whispereth  evil  sug- 
gestions into  the  breasts  of  men  :  and  from  genii  and 
men.' 

"  If  this  should  fail — as  I  have  known  it  to  fail  in 
the  case  of  those  who  were  not  born  in  the  sacred  family 
of  Islam — we  should  try  the  virtues  of  the  heritage  bowl, 
which  is  much  esteemed  among  the  Giaours.  I  have 
possessed  myself  of  one,  once  the  property  of  an  an- 
cient family.  It  is  made  of  silver,  and  engraved  with 
forty-one  padlocks.  A  decoction  mixed  in  this  bowl, 
and  poured  on  the  head  of  the  patient  any  time  within 
seven  weeks  after  the  day  on  which  they  celebrate  the 
imagined  rising  of  Jesu,  son  of  Mary,  from  the  dead, 
will  often  break  the  most  malignant  spell.  The  Chris- 
tian Paska*  is  just  past  ;  so  that  it  will  be  opportune." 

"  But  should  this  likewise  fail  ? "  asked  Mahomet, 
impatient  with  the  sage's  prolixity. 

"  Ah  !  we  shall  then  have  to  try  our  strictly  human 
remedies.  This  ailment  is  called  by  the  Latin  disciples 
of  Galen,  dementia,  which  signifieth  that  the  man's 
mind,  his  natural  thoughts,  have  gone  away  from  him- 
We  must  recall  them.  For  this  we  must  have  some 
strong  appeal  to  that  which  was  his  hottest  passion  or 
interest  before  his  mind  flew  away  from  him.  Do  you 
know  the  absorbing  humor  of  this  man  ?  Was  he  a 
lover  ?  If  so,  we  must  find  the  fair  one  who  has 
robbed  him  of  his  better  part,  and,  restoring  her  to 
him,  we  shall  restore  him  to  himself.  " 

"  Nay, "  said  Mahomet.  "  Captain  Ballaban  was 
*  Easter. 


290  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

never  enamored  of  woman.  The  maid  who  lured  the 
Prophet  from  the  charms  of  Ayesha  and  Hafsa,  * 
would  not  have  turned  Ballaban's  head.  I  once  offered 
him  the  choice  of  a  bevy  of  Georgians  ;  but  he 
would  not  even  look  at  them.  He  is  a  soldier  ;  from 
tassel  to  shoe-thong  a  soldier.  " 

"  Ah  !  then  we  have  the  remedy  at  hand,  "  said 
Murta,  rolling  his  eyes  as  if  reading  the  prescription 
in  the  air.  "  Give  him  command  ;  military  excitement; 
honors  of  the  field.  When  the  cimeters  gleam  then 
will  reason  flash  again.  And  my  science  is  at  fault 
if  the  simple  summons  to  some  high  duty  work  not  a 
counter  charm  to  break  the  spell  that  is  on  him, 
though  it  were  woven  by  the  mystic  dance  of  all  the 
genii  and  devils." 

"  We  will  try  this  last  remedy  first,  "  said  Mahomet. 
"  Dismiss  him.  Let  him  go  as  he  will,  without  hin- 
drance or  seeming  to  follow,  until  my  orders  be  brought 
him  by  his  Aga.  In  the  meantime  search  the  shore 
for  the  knotted  cord  the  witches  may  have  blown 
upon.  And,  good  Murta,  send  for  the  silver  bowl  ;  for 
my  brain  is  that  hot  that  I  fear  me  the  Giaour  ghosts  we 
have  sent  gibbering  to  hell  during  the  last  few  days 
have  left  the  spell  of  their  evil  eyes  upon  me  too." 

The  following  day  was  not  far  advanced  when  Cap- 
tain Ballaban  was  summoned  to  the  Sultan's  tent,  the  ru- 
mor of  his  restoration  to  royal  favor  having  been  made 
to  precede  the  summons.  In  fact,  after  the  affair  of 
the  preceding  afternoon,  Ballaban  had  not  gone  to 
the  sea  shore,  but  retired  to  his  own  quarters,  where 

*  The  Coptic  Mary  with  whom  the  Prophet  was  said  to  have  been 
enamored. 


THE  CA  P  TA  IN  OF  THE  JA  NIZA  RIES.         2  9 1 

he  loyally  awaited  either  his  death  summons,  or  an 
invitation  for  some  wild  frolic  with  the  Padishah  ;  he 
knew  not  which,  so  thought  about  neither  ;  but  busied 
himself  over  a  plan  for  a  new  gun-carriage  he  was 
going  to  submit  to  Urban. 

With  assumed  stolidity  he  entered  the  royal  tent. 
As  he  rose  from  his  obeisance  upon  the  earth,  his  maj- 
esty embraced  him  with  boyish  delight. 

"  Your  old  self  again  :  I  see  your  soul  in  your  face. 
I'd  give  half  the  horse-tails  in  the  empire  rather 
than  lose  that  shock  of  hair  from  my  sight,  or  the  glow- 
ing brain  that  is  under  it  from  my  councils,  my  red- 
headed angel  !  " 

"  There  is  no  need  to  lose  it,  except  by  cutting  it  off 
at  my  shoulders,"  said  Ballaban,  falling  in  with  the 
humor  of  the  Sultan,  yet  watchful  not  to  be  taken 
unawares,  if,  in  its  fitfulness,  that  humor  should  turn. 

"  I  have  a  grand  service  for  you,  if  you  have  skill 
and  courage  enough  to  execute  it,"  said  Mahomet, 
watching  the  effect  on  his  friend. 

The  captain's  eyes  flashed  with  the  prospect,  as  he 
said: 

"  I  wait  your  plan,  Sire  ;  only  let  it  be  bold." 

"  I  have  no  plan,  you  must  make  one.  I  would  see 
if  your  brain  is  as  square  as  the  pot  you  keep  it  in," 
said  the  Sultan,  tapping  him  on  the  head  with  a 
jewelled  whip  staff,  and  adding, 

"  It  is  evident,  Captain,  that  we  must  get  possession 
of  the  Golden  Horn  ;  for  so  long  as  the  enemy  hold 
that  for  their  harbor,  we  cannot  prevent  their  reprovis- 
ioning  the  city  as  they  did  yesterday  ;  and  a  few 
more  such  auxiliaries  as  they  brought,  indeed,  another 


292         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

such  leader  as  the  Genoese  Giustiniani,  would  compel 
us  to  raise  the  siege.  How  can  we  take  the  harbor  ? 
Our  boats  can  never  raise  the  chain  at  the  mouth." 

"  That  has  been  my  problem  since  the  siege  began," 
said  Ballaban.  "  I  remember  while  in  Albania,  as  I 
lodged  one  night  in  a  village,  I  met  with  some  Italian 
officers,  who  had  come  to  offer  their  swords  to  Cas- 
triot.  They  told  how  they  moved  their  fleet  overland, 
several  miles  on  a  roadway  of  timbers.*  We  can  use 
that  device.  The  thing  is  not  impracticable  ;  for  there 
is  a  depression  to  the  north  of  Galata,  through  which 
from  the  Bosphorus  to  the  inland  extremity  of  the 
Golden  Horn  is  but  five  or  six  miles.  Our  vessels  are 
not  large  ;  could  be  transported  with  the  multitudes 
of  our  troops,  and  on  the  still  water  of  the  harbor 
would  soon,  by  superior  numbers,  capture  those  of  the 
Christians." 

"  A  good  conception  !  "  said  Mahomet,  "  and  if  my 
reading  has  not  been  at  fault,  the  Roman  Augustus 
did  something  similar.f  It  shall  be  done.  Let  it  not 
be  said  that  the  Ottoman  was  surpassed  in  daring  or 
difficulty  of  enterprise  by  Pagan  or  Christian.  You 
shall  perform  it,  Ballaban.  The  woods  above  Galata 
will  serve  for  planking,  and  the  engineers  can  be 
spared  from  before  the  walls  until  it  is  accomplished." 

A  few  days  later  a  large  fleet  of  the  Moslems  was 
conveyed  overland,  by  means  of  a  roadway  of  greased 
timbers.  To  the  amazement  of  the  Christians  their 
adversary's  navy  no  longer  lay  idly  upon  the  Bos- 

*  In  1437   the  Venetians   carried   many  large  ships  across  the 
country  from  the  river  Adige  to  the  lake  of  Garda. 
f  At  Actium. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         293 

phorus,  but  was  transformed  into  a  line  of  floating  bat- 
teries within  the  harbor  of  the  Golden  Horn,  and 
from  their  rear  soon  destroyed  the  fleet  of  the 
defenders. 


CHAPTER  XLI. 

THE  city  was  now  completely  invested.  Menaced 
from  all  sides,  the  defenders  were  not  sufficient 
in  numbers  to  guard  the  many  approaches.  Yet  the 
daily  fighting  was  desperate,  for  the  Moslems  were 
inspired  by  the  certainty  of  success,  while  the  Chris- 
tians were  nerved  with  the  energy  of  despair.  To  end 
the  siege  Mahomet  designated  a  time  for  a  combined 
assault  from  sea  and  land. 

As  the  fatal  day  dawned,  numberless  hordes  moved 
towards  the  walls.  The  great  ditches  were  soon 
filled  with  the  dead  bodies  of  thousands  of  the  least 
serviceable  soldiers,  who  had  been  driven  from  behind 
by  the  lances  of  the  trained  bands,  that  they  might 
thus  worry  the  patience  and  exhaust  the  resources  of 
the  brave  defenders,  without  taxing  the  best  of  the 
Moslem  troops.  The  carcasses  of  the  slain  made  a 
highway  for  the  living,  over  which  they  poured 
against  the  gate  of  St.  Romanus.  The  four  grim 
towers  toppled  beneath  the  pounding  of  great  stone 
balls  hurled  from  the  cannon  of  Urban.  The  defenders 
were  driven  off  the  adjacent  walls  by  the  storms  of 
bullets  and  arrows  that  swept  them.  At  the  critical 
moment  the  Janizaries,  unwearied  as  yet  by  watching 


294          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

or  fighting,  twelve  thousand  strong,  as  compact  a  mass 
beneath  the  eye  of  the  Sultan  as  the  weapon  he  held 
in  his  hand,  moved  to  where  the  breach  was  widest. 

"  The  spoil  to  all  !  A  province  to  him  who  first 
enters  !  "  cried  the  Sultan,  waving  his  iron  battle 
mace.  Hassan,  the  giant,  first  mounted  the  rampart, 
and  fell  pierced  with  arrows  and  crushed  with  stones. 
But  through  the  gap  his  dying  valor  had  made  in  the 
ranks  of  the  foe  first  rushed  the  company  of  Ballaban. 

In  vain  did  the  people  crowd  beneath  the  dome  of 
St.  Sophia,  grasping  with  hopeless  hope  an  ancient 
prophecy  that  at  the  extreme  moment  an  angel  would 
descend  to  rescue  the  city.  Alas  !  only  the  angel  of 
death  came  that  day  ;  and  to  none  brought  he  more 
welcome  news  than  to  the  Emperor, — "  Thy  prayer  is 
answered  ;  for  thou  hast  fallen  where  the  dead  lie 
thickest  !  "  Near  the  gateway  of  St.  Romanus,  where 
he  had  met  the  first  of  the  invaders,  under  the  piles 
of  the  dead,  gashed  by  sabre  strokes  and  crushed 
beneath  the  feet  of  the  victors,  lay  the  body  of  Con- 
stantine  Palseologus,  the  noblest  of  the  Caesars  of  the 
Eastern  Empire  ! 

The  Turks  placed  his  ghastly  head  between  the 
feet  of  the  bronze  horse,  a  part  of  the  equestrian  statue 
of  Justinian,  where  it  was  reverently  saluted  even  by 
the  Moslems,  who  paused  in  the  rage  of  the  sack  to 
think  upon  the  virtue  and  courage  of  the  unfortunate 
monarch. 

Captain  Ballaban  had  pressed  rapidly  through  the 
city  to  the  doors  of  St.  Sophia.  The  oaken  gates 
flew  back  under  the  axes  of  the  Moslems.  Monks  and 
matrons,  children  and  nuns,  lords  and  beggars  were 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.        295 

crowded  together,  not  knowing  whether  the  grand 
dome  would  melt  away  and  a  legion  of  angels  descend 
for  their  relief,  or  the  vast  enclosure  would  become  a 
pen  of  indiscriminate  slaughter.  The  motley  and  help- 
less misery  excited  the  pity  of  the  captors.  Ballaban's 
voice  rang  through  the  arches,  proclaiming  safely  to 
those  who  should  submit.  That  he  might  the  better 
command  the  scene,  he  made  his  way  to  the  chancel 
in  front  of  the  grand  altar.  It  was  filled  with  the 
nuns,  repeating  their  prayers.  Among  them  was  the 
fair  Albanian.  Her  face  was  but  partly  toward  him, 
yet  he  could  never  mistake  that  queenly  head.  She 
was  addressing  the  Sisters.  Holding  aloft  the  bright 
shaft  of  a  stiletto,  she  cried, — 

"  Let  us  give  ourselves  to  heaven,  but  never  to  the 
harem !  " 

Ballaban  paused  an  instant.  But  that  instant 
seemed  to  him  many  minutes.  As,  under  the  lightning's 
flash,  the  whole  moving  panorama  of  the  wide  land- 
scape seems  to  stand  still,  and  paints  vividly  its 
prominent  objects,  however  scattered,  upon  the  startled 
eye  of  the  beholders  ;  so  his  mind  marvellously  quick- 
ened by  the  excitement,  took  in  at  once  the  long  track 
of  his  own  life.  He  saw  a  little  child's  hand  wreath- 
ing him  with  flowers  plucked  beside  a  cottage  on  the 
Balkans  ;  a  lovely  captive  whose  face  was  lit  by  the 
blazing  home  in  a  hamlet  of  Albania  ;  a  form  of  one 
at  Sfetigrade  lying  still  and  faint  with  sickness,  but 
radiant  as  with  the  beginning  of  transfiguration  for  the 
spirit  life  ;  and  the  queenly  being  who  was  borne  in 
the  palanquin  through  the  gate  of  Phranza.  But  how 
changed  !  How  much  more  glorious  now  !  Earthly 


296         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

beauty  had  become  haloed  with  the  heavenly.  He 
never  had  conceived  of  such  majesty,  such  glory  of 
personality,  such  splendor  of  character,  as  were 
revealed  by  her  attitude,  her  eye,  her  voice,  her 
purpose. 

"  But  now,"  thought  he,  "the  descending  blade  will 
change  this  utmost  sublimity  of  being  into  a  little  heap 
of  gory  dust !  " 

All  this  flashed  through  his  mind.  In  another 
instant  his  strong  hand  had  caught  the  arm  of  the 
voluntary  sacrifice.  The  stiletto,  falling,  caught  in  the 
folds  of  her  garments,  and  then  rang  upon  the  marble 
floor  of  the  chancel.  Morsinia  uttered  a  shriek  and 
fell,  apparently  as  lifeless  as  if  the  blade  had  entered 
her  heart. 

The  Janizary  stood  astounded.  A  tide  of  feeling 
strange  to  him  poured  through  his  soul.  For  the 
first  time  in  his  life  he  felt  a  horror  of  war.  Not 
thousands  writhing  on  the  battle  field  could  blanch 
his  cheek  with  pity  for  their  pangs  :  but  that  one 
voice  rang  through  and  through  him,  and  rent  his 
heart  with  sympathetic  agony.  Her  cry  had  become 
a  cry  of  his  own  soul  too. 

For  the  first  time  he  realized  the  dignity  of 
woman's  character.  This  woman  was  not  even 
wounded.  She  had  fallen  beneath  the  stroke  of  a 
thought,  a  sentiment,  a  woman's  notion  of  her  honor  ! 
The  women  he  had  known  had  no  such  fatal  scruples. 
Other  captive  beauties  soon  became  accustomed  to 
their  new  surroundings.  Many  even  offered  to  buy 
with  their  charms  an  exchange  of  poverty  for  the 
luxuries  of  the  harem  of  Pashas  and  wealthy  Moslems. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          297 

Was  this  a  solitary  woman's  tragedy  of  virtue  ?  Or 
was  it  some  peculiar  teaching  of  the  Christian's  faith 
that  inspired  her  to  such  heroism  ?  However  it  came, 
the  man  knew  that  with  her  it  was  a  mighty  reality  ; 
this  instinct  of  virtue  ;  this  sanctity  of  person. 

And  this  woman  was  his  dream  made  real !  A 
celestial  ideal  which  he  had  touched  ! 

The  man's  brain  reeled  with  the  shock  of  these 
tenderer  and  deeper  feelings,  coming  after  the  wildness 
of  the  battle  rage.  He  grasped  the  altar  for  support- 
The  blood  seemed  to  have  ceased  to  bound  in  his 
veins,  the  temples  to  be  pulseless  ;  a  band  to  have  been 
drawn  tightly  about  his  brain  so  as  to  paralyze  its 
action.  He  felt  himself  falling.  A  deathly  sickness 
spread  through  his  frame.  He  was  sure  he  had 
fainted.  He  thought  he  must  have  been  unconscious 
for  a  while.  Yet  when  he  opened  his  eyes,  the  soldier 
near  him  was  in  the  same  attitude  of  dragging  a  nun 
by  her  wrists  as  when  he  last  saw  him.  Time  had 
stood  still  with  his  pulses.  He  shuddered  at  the 
cruelty  on  every  side,  as  the  shrieks  from  the  high 
galleries  were  answered  by  those  in  distant  alcoves 
and  from  the  deep  crypt.  He  watched  the  groups  of 
old  men  and  children,  monks  and  senators,  nuns  and 
courtesans,  tied  together  and  dragged  away,  some  for 
slaughter,  some  for  princely  ransom,  some  for  shame. 

The  building  was  well  emptied  when  the  Sultan 
entered. 

He  at  once  advanced  to  the  altar  and  proclaimed: 

"  God  is  God  ;  there  is  but  one  God,  and  Mahomet 
is  the  apostle  of  God  !  " 

"  But  whom  have  we  here,  Captain  Ballaban  ? " 


298         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

"  Your  Majesty,  I  am  guarding  a  beautiful  captive 
whom  I  would  not  have  fall  into  the  hands  of  the 
common  soldiers  ;  I  take  it,  of  high  estate,"  replied 
the  Janizary,  knowing  that  such  an  introduction  to  the 
royal  attention  alone  could  save  her  from  the  fate 
which  awaited  the  unhappy  maidens,  most  of  whom 
were  liable  to  be  sold  to  brutal  masters  and  transported 
to  distant  provinces. 

The  Sultan  gazed  upon  the  partly  conscious  woman, 
and  commanded, 

"  Let  her  be  veiled  !  Seek  out  a  goodly  house.  Find 
the  Eunuch  Tamlich."  Ballaban  shuddered  at  this 
command,  and  was  about  to  reply,  when  his  judgment 
suggested  that  he  was  impotent  to  dispute  the  royal 
will  except  by  endangering  the  life  or  the  welfare  of 
his  captive. 

The  safest  place  for  her  was,  after  all,  with  the 
maidens  who  were  known  to  be  the  choice  of  the 
Sultan,  and  thus  beyond  insult  by  any  except  the 
imperial  debauchee. 

Mahomet  II.  gave  orders  for  the  immediate  transfor- 
mation of  the  Christian  temple  of  St.  Sophia  into  a 
Mosque.  In  a  few  hours  desolation  reigned  in  those 
"  Courts  of  the  Lord's  House,"  which,  when  first  com- 
pleted, ages  ago,  drew  from  the  imperial  founder,  the 
remark:  "Oh,  Solomon!  I  have  surpassed  thee  ! " 
and  which,  though  the  poverty  of  later  monarchs  had 
allowed  it  to  become  sadly  impaired,  was  yet  regarded 
by  the  Greek  Christians  as  worthy  of  being  the  vesti- 
bule of  heaven. 

The  command  of  the  Sultan  :  "  Take  away  every 
trace  of  the  idolatry  of  the  infidel  !  "  was  obeyed  in 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         299 

demolishing  the  rarest  gems  of  Christian  art  to  which 
attached  the  least  symbolism  of  the  now  abolished 
worship.  The  arms  were  chiseled  off  the  marble 
crosses  which  stood  out  in  relief  from  the  side  walls, 
and  from  the  bases  of  the  gigantic  pillars.  The  rare 
mosaics  which  lined  the  church  as  if  it  were  a  vast 
casket — the  fitting  gift  of  the  princes  of  the  earth  to 
the  King  of  Kings — were  plastered  or  painted  over. 
The  altar,  that  marvellous  combination  of  gold  and 
silver  and  bronze,  conglomerate  with  a  thousand 
precious  stones,  was  torn  away,  that  the  red  slab  of 
the  Mihrab  might  point  the  prayers  of  the  new  devotees 
toward  Mecca.  The  furniture,  from  that  upon  the 
grand  altar  to  the  banners  and  mementoes  of  a  thou- 
sand years,  the  donations  of  Greek  emperors  and 
sovereigns  of  other  lands,  was  broken  or  torn  into 
pieces.  There  remained  only  the  grand  proportions 
of  the  building — its  chief  glory — enriched  by  polished 
surfaces  of  marble  and  porphyry  slabs  ;  the  superb 
pillars  brought  by  the  reverent  cupidity  of  earlier  ages 
from  the  ruined  temple  of  Diana  at  Ephesus,  the 
temple  of  the  Sun  at  Palmyra,the  temple  on  the  Acro- 
Corinthus,  and  the  mythologic  urn  from  Pergamus, 
which  latter,  having  been  used  as  a  baptismal  font 
by  the  followers  of  Jesus,  was  now  devoted  to  the 
ablutions  of  the  Moslems. 

From  St.  Sophia  the  Sultan  passed  to  the  palace  of 
the  Greek  Caesars. 

"  Truly  !  truly  !"  said  he  "  The  spiders  web  is  the 
royal  curtain ;  the  owl  sounds  the  watch  cry  on 
the  towers  of  Afrasiab,"  quoting  from  the  Persian 
poet  Firdusi,  as  he  gazed  about  the  deserted  halls. 


300         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

He  issued  his  mandate  which  should  summon 
architects  and  decorators,  not  only  from  his 
dominions,  but  from  Christian  nations,  to  adorn  the 
splendid  headland  with  the  palatial  motley  of  walls 
and  kiosks  which  were  to  constitute  his  new  seraglio. 
The  considerateness  of  Ballaban  led  him  to  select 
the  house  of  Phranza  as  the  place  to  which  Morsinia 
was  taken.  The  noble  site  and  substantial  structure 
of  the  mansion  of  the  late  chamberlain  commended  it 
to  the  Sultan  for  the  temporary  haremlik  ;  and  the 
familiar  rooms  alleviated,  like  the  faces  of  mute  friends, 
the  wildness  of  the  grief  of  their  only  familiar  captive. 


CHAPTER  XLII. 

/^ONSTANTINE,  after  his  escape  from  the  Sultan's 
\j  tent,  where  he  had  been  taken  for  the  demented 
Ballaban,  was  unable  to  enter  Constantinople  before  it 
fell.  His  heart  was  torn  with  agonizing  solicitude  for 
the  fate  of  Morsinia.  He  knew  too  well  the  deter- 
mination of  the  dauntless  girl  in  the  event  of  her  fall- 
ing into  the  hands  of  the  Turks.  Filling  his  dreams  at 
night,  and  rising  before  him  as  a  terrible  apparition  by 
day,  was  that  loved  form,  a  suicide  empurpled  with  its 
own  gore.  Yet  love  and  duty  led  him  to  seek  her,  or  at 
least  to  seek  the  certainty  of  her  fate.  He  therefore 
disguised  himself  as  a  Moslem  and  mingled  with  the 
throng  of  soldiers  and  adventurers  who  entered  the 
city  under  its  new  possessors.  He  wandered  for  hours 
about  the  familiar  streets,  that,  perchance,  he  might 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         301 

come  upon  some  memorial  of  her.  The  secrets  of 
the  royal  harem  he  could  not  explore,  even  if  suspicion 
led  his  thought  thither.  The  proximity  of  the 
residence  of  Phranza  was  guarded  by  the  immediate 
servants  of  the  Sultan,  so  that  he  was  deprived  of 
even  the  fond  misery  of  visiting  the  scenes  so  asso- 
ciated with  his  former  joy. 

In  passing  through  one  of  the  narrowest  and  foulest 
streets — the  only  ones  that  had  been  left  undisturbed 
by  the  Vandalism  of  the  conquerors — he  came  upon 
an  old  woman,  hideous  in  face  and  decrepit,  whom  he 
remembered  as  a  beggar  at  the  gate  of  Phranza. 
From  her  he  learned  many  stories  of  the  last  hours  of 
the  siege. 

According  to  her  story  she  had  gone  among  the 
first  to  St.  Sophia.  When  the  Moslems  entered  they 
tied  her  by  a  silken  girdle  to  the  person  of  the 
Grand  Chamberlain,  and,  amid  the  jeers  of  the  soldiers, 
marched  them  together  to  the  Hippodrome.  She 
remembered  the  Sultan  as  he  rode  on  his  horse, — 
how  he  struck  with  his  battle  hammer  one  of  the  silver 
heads  of  the  bronze  serpents,  and  cried:  "  So  I  smite 
the  heads  of  the  kingdoms  !  "  Just  as  he  did  so  he 
turned,  and  saw  her  in  her  rags  tied  to  the  courtly- 
robed  lord,  and  in  an  angry  voice  commanded  that  the 
princely  man  be  loosed  from  contact  with  the  filthy 
hag.  Phranza  was  taken  away  :  but  nobody  cared  to 
take  her  away.  She  was  trampled  by  the  crowd,  but 
lived.  And  nobody  thought  of  turning  her  out  of  her 
hovel  home.  She  was  as  safe  as  is  a  rat  when  the 
robbers  have  killed  the  nobler  inmates  of  a  house. 

The    woman  said   that    she    had    heard    that  the 


302         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

daughter  of  Phranza  was  sent  away  somewhere  to 
an  island  home.  But  the  Albanian  Princess, — Yes, 
she  knew  her  well ;  for  no  hand  used  to  drop  so 
bountifully  the  alms  she  asked,  or  said  so  kindly 
"  Jesu  pity  you,  my  good  woman  !  "  as  did  that  beau- 
tiful lady.  The  beggar  declared  that  she  stood  near 
her  by  the  altar  in  St.  Sophia.  "  She  looked  so 
saintly  there  !  There  was  a  real  aureole  about  her 
head  as  she  prayed,  so  she  was  a  saint  indeed.  Then 
she  raised  her  dagger  !  "  But  the  wretched  watcher 
could  watch  no  longer,  though  she  heard  her  cry,  so 
wild  that  she  would  never  cease  to  hear  it. 

The  beggar  ceased  her  story  ;  all  her  words  had  cut 
through  her  listener's  heart  as  if  they  had  been 
daggers. 

"  It  is  well  !  "  he  said,  "  I  will  go  to  Albania. 
Among  those  who  loved  her  I  will  worship  her  memory  ; 
and,  under  Castriot,  I  will  seek  my  revenge." 


CHAPTER    XLIII. 

MORSINIA'S  fears,  and  her  horror  at  the  antici- 
pated life  in  the  harem,  were  not  confirmed  by 
its  actual  scenes.  Except  for  the  constant  surveillance 
of  the  Nubian  eunuchs  and  female  attendants,  there 
was  no  restriction  upon  her  liberty.  She  passed 
through  the  familiar  corridors,  and  rested  upon  the 
divan  in  what  had  been  her  own  chamber  in  better 
days.  Other  female  captives  became  her  companions  ; 
but  among  them  were  none  of  those  belonging  to 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.       303 

Constantinople.  Suburban  villages  were  represented ; 
but  most  of  the  odalisks  *  were  Circassian  beauties, 
whose  conduct  did  not  indicate  that  they  felt  any  shame 
in  their  condition.  They  indulged  in  jealous  rivalry, 
estimating  their  own  worth  by  the  sums  which  the 
agents  of  the  Sultan  had  paid  their  parents  for  their 
possession  ;  or  bantering  one  another  as  to  who 
of  their  number  would  first  meet  the  fancy  of  their 
royal  master.  There  were  several  Greeks,  who,  with 
more  modesty  of  speech,  spared  none  of  the  arts  of 
the  toilet  to  prepare  themselves  to  better  their  con- 
dition in  the  only  way  that  was  now  open  to  them.  A 
Coptic  girl  had  been  sent  by  Eenal,  the  Borghite 
Khalif  of  Egypt,  as  a  present  to  the  Sultan.  Her 
form  was  slight,  and  without  the  fullness  of  develop- 
ment which  other  races  associate  with  female  beauty, 
but  of  wonderful  grace  of  pose  and  motion;  her  face 
was  broad  ;  eyes  wide  and  expressionless  ;  mouth 
straight.  Yet  her  features  had  that  symmetry  and 
balance  which  gave  to  them  a  strange  fascination. 
The  Turcoman  Emir  who  had  already  given  his 
daughter  to  Mahomet — the  nuptials  with  whom  he 
was  celebrating  when  called  to  the  throne — exercised 
still  further  his  fatherly  office  in  presenting  to  his 
son-in-law  as  fine  a  pair  of  black  eyes  as  ever  flashed 
their  cruel  commands  to  an  amative  heart.  To  study 
this  physiognomical  museum  afforded  Morsinia  an  en- 
tertaining relief  from  the  otherwise  constant  torture  of 
her  thoughts. 

To  her  further  diversion  one  was  introduced  into 
the  harem  who  spoke  her  own  Albanian  tongue.     This 
*  Odalisk;  the  title  of  a  childless  inmate  of  the  harem. 


304         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

new  comer  was  of  undoubted  beauty,  so  far  as  that 
quality  could  be  the  product  of  merely  physical 
elements.  It  was  of  the  kind  that  might  bind  a  god 
on  earth,  but  could  never  help  a  soul  to  heaven.  Her 
lower  face,  with  full  red  lips  arching  the  pearliest 
teeth,  and  complexion  ruddy  with  the  glow  of  health, 
shading  into  the  snowy  bosom,  might  perhaps  serve  to 
make  a  Venus  ;  but  her  upper  features,  the  low  fore- 
head and  dilated  nostrils,  could  never  have  been  made 
to  bespeak  the  thoughtful  Minerva  in  this  retreat  of 
those,  who,  to  the  Moslem  imagination,  are  the  types  of 
heavenly  perfection.  Her  eyes  were  bright,  but  only 
with  surface  lustre.  Her  nature  evidently  contained 
no  depths  which  could  hold  either  noble  resentment 
or  self  sacrificing  love  ;  either  grand  earthly  passion 
or  heavenly  faith. 

This  woman's  vanity  did  not  long  keep  back  the 
story  of  her  life.  She  told  of  her  conquest  of  the 
village  swains  who  fought  for  the  possession  of  her 
charms  ;  of  the  devotion  of  an  Albanian  prince  who 
took  her  dowerless  in  preference  to  the  ladies  of  great 
family  and  fortune,  and  would  have  bestowed  upon  her 
the  heirship  to  his  estates  :  of  how  she  was  stolen  away 
from  the  great  castle  by  a  company  of  Turkish  officers, 
who  afterward  fought  among  themselves  for  the 
privilege  of  presenting  her  to  the  Valide  Sultana  ;* 
for  it  was  about  the  time  of  the  Ramedan  feast  when 
the  Sultan's  mother  made  an  annual  gift  to  her  son  of 
the  most  beautiful  woman  she  could  secure.  The  vain 
captive  declared  that  the  jealousy  of  the  odalisks  at 

*  Mother  of  the  Sultan. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.        305 

Adrianople  had  led  the  Kislar  Aga  to  send  her  here 
to  Constantinople. 

"  And  who  was  the  Albanian  nobleman  whose  bride 
you  had  become  ? "  asked  Morsinia. 

"  Oh,  one  who  is  to  be  king  of  Albania  one  day, 
the  Voivode  Amesa." 

"  Ah  !  said  Morsinia,  "  this  is  news  from  my  coun- 
try. When  was  it  determined  that  Amesa  should  be 
king  ?" 

"  Oh  !  every  one  speaks  of  it  at  the  castle  as  if  it 
were  well  understood.  And  when  he  becomes  king 
then  he  will  claim  me  again  from  Mahomet,  though  he 
must  ransom  me  with  half  his  kingdom.  Yes,  I  am 
to  be  a  queen  ;  and  indeed  I  may  be  one  already,  for 
perhaps  Lord  Amesa  is  now  on  the  throne.  And  that 
is  the  reason  I  wear  the  cord  of  gold  in  my  hair  ;  for 
one  day  my  royal  lover  will  put  the  crown  here." 

The  bedizened  beauty  rose  and  paced  to  and  fro 
through  the  great  saion.  The  pride  which  gave  the 
majestic  toss  to  her  head,  however  it  would  have 
marred  that  ethereal  form  which  the  inner  eye  of  the 
moralist  or  the  Christian  always  sees,  and  which  is 
called  character,  only  gave  an  additional  charm  to 
her  ; — as  the  delicate  yet  stately  comb  of  the  peacock 
adds  to  the  fascination  of  that  bird.  Her  carriage 
combined  the  gracefulness  of  perfect  anatomy  and 
health  with  the  dignity  which  conceit,  thoroughly 
diffused  in  muscle  and  nerve,  lent  to  all  her  movements. 
With  that  step  upon  it  no  carpet  beneath  a  throne 
would  have  been  dishonored.  Her  dress  was  in 
exquisite  keeping  with  her  person.  The  close  fitting 
zone  or  girdle  about  her  waist  left  the  bust  uncon- 


306         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

torted  ;  a  model  which  needed  no  device  to  supple- 
ment the  perfection  of  nature.  A  robe  of  purple 
velvet  trailed  luxuriantly  behind  ;  but  in  front  was 
looped  so  as  to  display  the  loose  trousers  of  white  silk 
which  were  gathered  below  the  knee  and  fell  in  full 
ruffles  about  the  unstockinged  ankles,  but  not  so 
low  as  to  conceal  the  rings  of  silver  which  clasped 
them,  and  the  slippers  of  yellow  satin,  ending  in  long 
and  curved  points,  which  protruded  from  beneath. 

As  the  other  women  gazed  at  this  self-assumed  queen 
of  the  harem  the  green  fire  of  jealousy  flashed  alike 
from  black  eyes  and  blue.  The  straight  thin  noses  of 
the  Greeks  for  the  moment  forgot  their  classic  models, 
and  dilated  as  if  in  rivalry  of  that  flattened  feature  of 
the  Egyptian  ;  while  the  straight  mouth  of  the  daugh- 
ter of  the  Nile  writhed  in  indescribable  curves,  indica- 
tive of  commingled  wrath,  hatred,  pique  and  scorn. 

This  parade  would  have  produced  in  Morsinia  the 
feeling  of  contempt,  were  it  not  for  that  sisterly 
interest  which  was  awakened  by  the  fact  that  she  was 
her  own  country-woman.  Morsinia's  face,  usually 
calm  in  its  great  dignity  and  reserve,  now  flushed  with 
the  struggle  between  indignation  and  pity  for  the  girl. 

At  this  moment  the  purple  hangings  which  separated 
the  salon  from  the  open  court  were  held  aside  by  the 
silver  staff  of  the  eunuch  in  charge  ;  and  the  young 
Padishah  stood  as  a  spectator  of  the  scene. 

"  Ah  !  Tamlich,"  cried  he,  addressing  the  black 
eunuch,  "  you  were  right  in  saying  that  the  great  har- 
emlik  at  Adrianople,  with  its  thousand  goddesses, 
could  not  rival  this  temporary  one  for  the  fairness  of 
the  birds  you  have  caged  in  it." 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         307 

The  women  made  the  temineh — a  salutation  with  the 
right  hand  just  sweeping  the  floor,  and  then  pressed 
consecutively  to  the  heart,  the  lips  and  the  forehead  ; 
a  movement  denoting  reverence,  and,  at  the  same  time, 
giving  field  for  the  display  of  the  utmost  grace  of  mo- 
tion. 

The  Padishah  passed  among  these  his  slaves  with 
the  license  which  betokened  his  absolute  ownership ; 
stroking  their  hair  and  toying  with  their  persons  accord- 
ing to  his  amiable  or  insolent  caprice.  Morsinia, 
however,  was  spared  this  familiarity.  The  Sultan  him- 
self colored  slightly  as  he  addressed  her  a  few  words  in 
Greek,  of  which  language,  in  common  with  several 
others,  he  knew  enough  to  act  as  his  own  interpreter. 
His  questions  were  respectful,  all  limited  to  her 
comfort  in  her  new  home.  With  Elissa,  the  queenly 
Albanian,  he  was  at  once  on  terms  of  intimacy.  Her 
manner  betokened  that  she  gave  to  him  only  too  will- 
ingly whatever  he  might  be  disposed  to  take. 

As  the  Sultan  withdrew,  the  eunuch  Tamlich 
remarked  to  him  : 

"  My  surmise  of  your  Excellency's  judgment  was 
verified.  Said  I  not  that  the  two  Arnaouts  were  the 
fairest  ?  And  did  I  not  behold  your  Majesty  gaze 
longest  upon  them  ?  " 

"  I  commend  your  taste,  Tamlich,"  replied  Mahomet. 
"  But  those  two  are  as  unlike  as  a  ruby  and  a 
pearl." 

"  But  as    fair  as  either,  are  they  not  ?    The  chief 
hamamjina*  declares  that  the  blue-eyed  one  has  the 
most  perfect  form  she  ever  saw  ;   and  that  it  is  a  form 
*  Hamamjina  ;  bath  attendant. 


308         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

which  will  improve  with  years.  Morsinia  Hanoum* 
will  be  more  fit  for  Paradise,  while  Elissa  Hanoum 
may  lose  the  grace  of  the  maiden  as  a  matron.  But 
the  cherry  is  ripe  for  the  plucking  now." 

"  I  like  the  ruby  better  than  the  pearl,"  said  the 
Sultan.  "  I  cannot  quite  fathom  the  deep  eye  of  the 
latter.  She  thinks  too  much.  I  would  not  have 
women  think.  They  are  to  make  us  stop  thinking. 
The  problems  of  state  are  sufficiently  perplexing:  I 
want  no  human  problem  in  my  arms." 

"  But  one  who  thinks  may  have  some  skill  in  afford- 
ing amusement.  Have  I  not  heard  thee  say,  Sire, 
'  Blessed  is  the  one  who  can  invent  a  new  recreation  ? ' 
That  requires  thinking." 

"  Right,  Tamlich  !  can  she  sing  ?  " 

"  Ay  !  your  Majesty,  to  the  Greek  cythera  ;  and 
such  songs  that,  though  they  know  not  a  word  of 
them — for  the  songs  are  in  her  own  Arnaout  tongue — 
the  odalisks  all  fall  to  weeping." 

"  I  like  not  such  singing,"  said  Mahomet.  "  To  make 
people  think  with  her  thoughtful  eyes  is  bad  enough 
in  a  woman.  To  make  them  weep  with  her  voice  is 
wicked,  is  Christian.  I  will  give  her  away  to  some  one 
who  wants  a  wife  that  thinks.  There  is  Hamed  Bey, 
one  of  the  muderrisf  who  is  to  be  put  at  the  head  of 
my  new  chain  of  Ulemas.J  He  will  want  a  wife  who 
thinks ;  and  his  eyes  are  that  blind  with  dry  study  that 
it  will  do  him  good  to  weep.  But  who  is  the  woman  ? 

*Hanoum  ;   a  title  given  to  matrons. 

\  Muderris  ;  professors  in  the  high  schools. 

\  Chain  of  Ulemas  ;  a  renowned  system  of  colleges. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         309 

I  think  I  saw  her  face  in  St.  Sophia  the  day  of  our 
entry." 

"  She  belonged  to  the  house-hold  of  Phranza,  the 
Chamberlain,  who  possessed  this  very  house,"  replied 
the  eunuch.  "  And  I  think,  from  its  goodly  size  and 
decoration,  he  must  have  used  the  treasury  of  the 
empire  freely." 

"  To  Phranza  !  Why,  I  have  a  daughter  of  his  in 
the  nursery  at  Adrianople.  His  wife  I  have  given  to 
the  Master  of  the  Horse.*  His  son  I  have  this  day 
sent  to  hell  for  his  insolence.  But  she  is  an  Arnaout ; 
therefore  not  of  kin  to  Phranza.  Search  out  her  story, 
Tamlich !  For  a  member  of  the  family  of  Phranza, 
and  not  of  his  blood,  may  be  of  some  political  conse- 
quence. I  will  keep  her.  But  get  her  story,  Tamlich, 
get  her  story  ! " 

"  I  have  it  already,  Sire,"  replied  the  eunuch. 

"  Ah  !  " 

"  She  is  a  ward  of  Scanderbeg,  the  Arnaout  traitor, 
sent  to  Constantinople  to  escape  the  danger  of  capture 
by  thine  all-conquering  arms.  But  the  bird  fled  from 
the  fowler  into  the  snare." 

"  Perhaps  a  child  of  Scanderbeg  !  Eh,  Tamlich  ? 
One  at  least  whose  life  is  of  great  value  to  him,  and 
was  to  the  Greek  empire.  I  will  inform  Scanderbeg 
that  she  is  in  my  possession.  By  the  dread  of  what 
may  happen  to  her  I  shall  the  easier  force  that  raven- 
ing brute  to  make  terms  ;  for  I  am  tired  of  battering 
my  sword  against  his  rocks,  trying  to  prick  his  skin. 
Keep  her  close,  Tamlich,  keep  her  close  !  " 

*Gibbon  ;  Chapter  LXVIII. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 
CHAPTER    XLIV. 


T  ATE  in  the  day  the  Sultan  retired  to  a  neighbor- 
ly ing  mansion,  once  possessed  by  the  Greek  Grand 
Duke,  Lucas  Notaras,  and  there  sought  relaxation 
from  the  incessant  cares  of  the  empire.  The  day  had 
been  wearisome.  Architects  had  submitted  plans  for 
the  detailed  ornamentation  of  the  new  seraglio  which 
was  rising  on  the  Byzantine  Point.  One  of  the  plans 
led  to  dispute  between  the  Padishah  and  the  chief  Mufti, 
the  expounder  of  the  Moslem  law.  It  was  occasioned 
thus.  The  porphyry  column*  which  stood  hard  by 
the  palace  of  the  Greek  emperors,  had  once  served  to 
hold  aloft  the  bronze  statue  of  Apollo,  a  precious 
relic  of  ancient  Greek  mythology.  This  was  afterward 
reverenced  by  the  people  as  the  figure  of  the  Emperor 
Constantine  the  Great,  or  worshipped  by  them  as 
that  of  Christ.  An  architect  proposed  that  the  time- 
glorious  shaft  should  now  be  surmounted  by  the 
colossal  statue  of  Mahomet  II.  The  Mufti  declared  the 
project  to  be  impious,  as  tempting  to  idolatry,  against 
which  the  Koran  was  so  clear  and  denunciatory,  and 
also  the  Sounna  or  traditional  sayings  of  the  Prophet. 
The  Sultan's  pride  rebelled  against  this  assumption  of 
an  authority  above  his  own.  But  the  Sultan's  super- 
stitious regard  for  the  faith  among  the  people,  which 
led  him  to  wash  his  hands  and  face  openly  whenever 
he  spoke  with  the  architect,  who  was  a  Christian  en- 
gaged at  great  cost  from  Italy,  also  led  him  to  fear 

*  Porphyry  column;  now  the  famous  Burnt  Column. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         3 1 1 

to  break  with  the  prescriptions  and  customs  of  his 
religion  in  this  matter.  He  contented  himself  with  an 
oath  that  he  had  sooner  lost  the  honor  of  a  campaign 
than  the  privilege  of  seeing  himself  represented  as  the 
conqueror  of  both  Constantine  and  Christ.  Generals, 
too,  had  been  in  council  with  him  that  day  regarding 
the  conduct  of  intrigues  for  the  possession  of  the 
Peloponnesus,  and  about  the  wars  in  Servia,  Boznia 
and  Trebizond.  Ill  tidings  had  come  from  Albania, 
where  Scanderbeg  was  consuming  the  Turkish  armies, 
as  a  great  spider  entraps  in  his  webs  and  at  his 
leisure  devours  a  swarm  of  hornets,  which,  could  they 
have  free  access  to  him,  would  instantly  sting  him  to 
death.  The  messenger  who  brought  this  news  was 
rewarded  by  having  hurled  at  his  head  an  immense 
vase  of  malachite,  in  the  exertion  of  lifting  which  the 
imperial  wrath  was  sufficiently  eased  to  allow  of  his 
turning  to  other  business.  A  plan  for  the  reception 
of  the  inmates  of  the  grand  harem  at  Adrianople,  when 
they  should  be  transported  to  the  spacious  buildings 
being  constructed  for  them  in  the  seraglio,  was  also  a 
pleasing  diversion,  and  led  the  Sultan  to  make  the 
brief  visit  to  the  fair  ones  at  the  house  of  Phranza, 
which  has  been  described.  But  the  nettled  spirit  of  the 
Padishah  was  far  from  subdued.  He  had  during 
the  day  given  an  order,  the  sequel  to  which  we  must 
relate,  and  which,  while  it  disturbed  his  conscience 
and  flooded  him  at  moments  with  the  sense  of  self- 
contempt,  also  inflamed  his  natural  passion  for  cruelty. 
He  determined  to  drown  the  noble,  and  to  satiate  the 
the  vicious,  craving  by  an  hour  or  two  of  unrestrained 
debauch. 


312         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

In  the  court  of  the  house  of  the  Grand  Duke 
Notaras  was  spread  the  royal  banquet.  Rarest  viands 
were  flanked  by  flagons  of  costliest  wines.  Upon  the 
momentary  surprise  of  the  steward  when  he  received 
the  order  to  provide  the  wines,  the  monarch  cried  in  a 
contemptuous  tone  : 

"  Ah  !  I  know  your  thoughts.  It  is  not  according  to 
the  Koran  that  wine  should  be  drunk.  But  by  the 
staff  of  Moses,*  which  they  found  in  the  palace  of  the 
Caesars  yonder,  I  swear  that  Mahomet  the  Emperor 
shall  not  yield  to  Mahomet  the  Prophet  in  everything. 
The  Prophet  made  laws  to  suit  his  own  taste,  so 
will  If.  He  can  have  Mecca  and  Medina  and 
Jerusalem  ;  but  I  shall  reign  without  him  in  my  own 
palace  in  Stamboul,  which  I  have  captured  with  my 
own  hand.  Bring  the  wine,  or  I'll  spill  your  black 
blood  as  a  beverage  to  those  in  hell  !  It  will  be  sweet 
enough  for  your  kin  who  are  black  with  roasting.  I 
will  have  wine  to-day  !  Cool  it  in  all  the  snows  from 
Mount  Olympus  yonder;  for  my  blood  is  as  hot  as  if  I 
were  shod  with  fire  ;  and  my  skull  boils  like  a  pot.J 

About  the  table  were  divans  cushioned  with  down 
and  covered  with  yellow  silk.  The  Padishah  took  his 
seat  upon  the  highest  cushion.  By  his  side  stood  the 
chief  of  the  black  eunuchs,  splendidly§  attired  in  the 

waistcoat  of  flower  embroidered  brocade,  tunic  of  scarlet 

i 

*  Staff  of  Moses  ;  one  of  the  relics  held  sacred  by  the  Greeks 
at  the  time. 

f  Gibbon's  statement  of  Mahomet  II's.  opinion. 

\  Punishment  of  those  in  hell,  according  to  Koran. 

§See  effigy  in  the  museum  of  the  Elbicei- Atika  at  Constantinople. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         313 

flowing  trousers,  red  turban,  and  half  boots  of  bronzed 
leather.  He  held  a  wand  of  silver  covered  with  elegant 
tracery  and  topped  in  filagree.  As  he  waved  this 
symbol  of  his  office,  there  came  from  the  various  doors 
opening  into  the  court  groups  of  the  harem  women. 
They  were  draped  in  gauze,  in  the  folds  of  which 
sparkled  diamonds  and  glowed  the  hues  of  precious 
stones  selected  by  the  taste  of  the  chief  eunuch  to 
set  off  the  complexion  and  hair  of  their  various  wearers, 
and  at  the  same  time  to  facilitate  their  grouping  into 
sets  of  dancers.  The  court  was  made  radiant  with 
these  beautiful  forms,  which  moved  in  circles  or  in 
spirals  about  the  fountains  and  under  the  orange 
trees,  whose  white  blossoms  and  golden  fruit  in 
simultaneous  fulness  completed  the  picture  for  the  eye, 
while  their  fragrance  loaded  the  air  with  its  delicate 
delight. 

The  Kislar  Aga  had  arranged  a  scene  which  espec- 
ially pleased  the  monarch,  whose  head  was  already 
swimming  with  the  combined  effect  of  the  mazy  dance 
and  the  fumes  of  the  wine.  An  attendant  led  into 
the  court,  held  partly  by  a  strong  leash  and  partly  by  the 
voice  of  his  trainer,  a  magnificent  leopard.  With 
utmost  grace  the  beast  leaped  over  the  ribboned  wand, 
falling  so  softly  to  the  ground  that,  though  of  enormous 
weight,  he  would  not  seemingly  have  broken  a  twig 
had  it  lain  beneath  his  feet.  In  imitation  of  this,  a 
eunuch  led  into  the  court  by  a  leash  of  roses  a  Circas- 
sian dancer,  the  gift  of  a  Caramanian  prince.  Her 
form  was  as  free  from  the  hindrances  of  dress  as  that 
of  her  spotted  competitor  ;  except  that  a  bright  gem 
burned  upon  her  forehead,  in  the  node  which  gathered 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

a  part  of  her  hair  ;  while  the  abundance  of  her  tresses 
was  either  held  out  on  her  snowy  arms,  or  fell  about 
her  as  a  veil  almost  to  her  feet.  With  a  hundred  varia- 
tions the  girl  repeated  the  motions  of  the  leopard, 
leaping  the  wands  with  equal  grace  as  she  came  to 
them  in  the  measures  of  the  dance. 

The  great  brute  had  laid  his  head  in  the  lap  of  his 
trainer,  and  was  watching  his  beautiful  rival  with 
apparent  enjoyment ;  only  now  and  then  uttering  a 
low  growl  as  if  in  jealousy,  when  the  Bravo!  of  the 
Sultan  rewarded  some  especially  fascinating  movement. 
The  girl  came  to  the  side  of  the  magnificent  monster 
and  dropped  her  long  hair  over  his  head.  The  brute 
closed  his  eyes  as  if  soothed  by  the  wooing  of  the 
maiden.  Cautiously,  but  encouraged  by  the  low  voice 
of  the  trainer,  she  placed  her  head  upon  the  mottled 
and  living  pillow.  A  great  paw  was  thrown  about 
her  shoulder. 

The  Sultan  was  in  ecstasy  of  applause,  and  shouted: 

"  A  collar  of  gold  for  each  of  them  !  " 

The  girl  attempted  to  rise,  but  her  splendid  lover 
seemed  to  have  become  really  enamored  of  the 
beautiful  form  he  held.  Her  slightest  motion  was 
answered  by  a  growl  ;  while  the  swaying  of  his  tail 
indicated  that,  as  among  human  kind,  so  with  the 
brutes,  the  softest  sentiments  were  to  be  guarded  by 
those  of  a  severer  nature  ;  that  baffled  love  must  meet 
the  avenging  of  cruel  wrath.  Like  the  affection  of 
some  men,  that  of  the  leopard  was  limited  to  its  own 
gratification,  and  utterly  regardless  of  the  comfort 
of  its  object ;  for  the  fondness  of  the  brute  was  not 
such  as  to  prevent  his  long  nails  protruding  through 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         315 

their  velvet  covering,  and  entering  the  bare  flesh  of 
the  girl.  She  quivered  with  pain,  yet,  at  the  quick 
warning  of  the  trainer,  she  made  no  outcry.  The 
man  drew  from  his  pocket  a  small  bit  of  raw  flesh,  and 
diverted  the  eyes  of  the  brute  from  the  blood  stream- 
ing at  each  claw-puncture  on  the  neck  and  bosom  of 
his  victim.  The  leopard  savagely  snapped  at  the 
morsel,  and,  at  the  same  instant  struck  it  with  his  paw, 
and  leaped  to  seize  it  as  it  was  hurled  many  feet  away. 
The  girl  as  quickly  darted  to  a  safe  distance.  Attend- 
ants instantly  appeared  and  surrounded  the  beast 
with  their  spear  points.  He  crouched  at  the  feet  of 
the  trainer,  and  whined  in  fear  until  he  was  led 
out. 

The  girls  then  encircled  the  seat  of  the  Sultan,  and 
vied  with  one  another  in  the  simulated  attempt  to 
throw  over  him  a  spell.  Nor  was  the  attempt  merely 
simulated,  as  each  one  displayed  the  utmost  art  of 
beauty  and  manner  to  win  from  the  half-drunken 
tyrant  some  token  of  his  favor. 

When  Elissa  came  near  the  Sultan,  he  bade  her  play 
with  him  as  the  Circassian  did  with  the  leopard.  He 
held  her  and  exclaimed  to  the  others  : 

"  Beware  your  leopard  when  he  growls  !  but  where 
is  the  other  Arnaout  ?  I  will  have  the  pearl  with  the 
ruby  of  the  harem  !  where  is  she,  I  say  ?  Did  I  not 
order  you  to  bring  all  the  odalisks  to  my  feast  ?  " 

"  From  your  Majesty's  orders  but  lately,  Sire,  I 
supposed — "  began  the  eunuch. 

"  Supposed  ?  You  are  to  obey,  not  to  suppose," 
cried  the  demented  man,  slashing  at  him  with  the 
cimeter  that  lay  at  his  feet. 


3*6          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

"  But  she  is  not  robed  for  the  feast." 

"  Bring  her  as  she  is,  and  robe  her  here.  You  said 
that  she  was  fairer  than  this  one.  If  she  is  not  fairer 
than  this  one,  the  leopard's  claws  will  grip  her,  and 
the  beast  shall  have  your  black  body  for  his  next 
supper.  Bring  her  !  " 

The  eunuch  soon  returned  with  Morsinia.  She 
wore  a  sombre  feridje,  or  cloak  completely  envelop- 
ing the  person.  This  she  had  on  at  the  moment  she 
was  summoned,  and  the  eunuch  obeyed  literally  the 
mandate  of  the  monarch  to  bring  her  as  she 
was. 

As  she  stood  before  the  Sultan  she  appeared,  in 
contrast  with  her  half  naked  and  bejeweled  sisters, 
like  a  prophetess;  some  female  Elijah  before  Ahab 
surrounded  by  his  household  of  Jezebels.  Throwing 
back  the  yashmak,  or  long  veil — the  one  Moslem 
costume  she  had  very  willingly  assumed  after  her 
captivity — she  gazed  upon  the  tyrant  with  a  look  of 
amazed  inquiry  of  his  meaning  in  summoning  her  to 
such  a  place.  The  sovereignty  of  her  soul  asserted 
and  expressed  itself  in  her  noble  brow,  her  clear  and 
steady  eye,  her  dauntless  bearing. 

"  Sire,  I  have  obeyed,"  said  she,  making  the  obeis- 
ance which  in  form  was  obsequious,  but  which  she 
executed  with  such  dignity  that  even  the  dull  wit  of 
the  reveller  felt  that  she  had  not  really  humbled  her- 
self before  him  by  so  much  as  the  shadow  of  a 
thought. 

"  Disrobe  her  !  "  cried  the  monarch. 

The  woman  stepped  back,  as  if  to  avoid  the  contact 
of  her  person  with  the  black  eunuch  ;  but  as  sud- 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         317 

denly  threw  off  the  feridje"  herself.  If  she  had  seemed 
a  gloomy  prophetess  before,  her  appearance  now 
would  have  suggested  to  an  ancient  Greek  the 
apparition  of  Pudicitia,  the  goddess  of  modesty. 
Her  gown  of  rich  pearl-tinted  cloth  covered  her 
shoulders  ;  and,  though  opened  upon  the  oosom,  it 
was  to  show  only  the  thick  folds  of  white  lace  which 
embraced  the  throat  in  a  ruffle,  and  was  clasped  with 
a  single  gem — a  cameo  presented  to  her  by  the  Greek 
Emperor. 

The  bearing  of  the  woman  gave  a  temporary  check 
to  the  abominable  rage  of  the  royal  wretch,  and 
recalled  him  to  his  better  judgment.  For  it  was  a 
peculiarity  of  Mahomet  that  no  passion  or  debauch 
could  completely  divert  him  from  carrying  out  any 
plan  he  had  devised  pertaining  to  his  imperial  ambi- 
tion. As  certain  musicians  perform  without  the  sacri- 
fice of  a  note  the  most  difficult  pieces,  when  too 
drunk  to  hold  a  goblet  steadily  to  their  lips,  and  as 
certain  noted  generals  have  staggered  through  the 
battle  without  the  slightest  strategic  mistake,  so  Ma- 
homet never  lost  sight  of  a  political  or  military  pur- 
pose he  had  formed.  While  sleeping  and  waking, 
in  the  wildest  revelry  and  in  the  privacy  of  his  unspeak- 
able sensuality,  that  project  blazed  before  him  like  a 
strong  fire-light  through  the  haze. 

"  Take  her  away  !  Take  her  away  !  "  said  he  to 
the  eunuch,  recollecting  his  purpose  of  using  her  in 
his  negotiations  with  Scanderbeg  ;  and  covering  his 
retreat  from  his  original  command  by  the  remark, 
"  She  is  the  woman  who  thinks,  I  want  none  such 
to  put  her  head  against  my  heart.  She  might  dis- 


3 1 8          THE  CA  P  TA  IN  OF  THE  JA  NIZA  RIES. 

cover  my  thoughts  ;  and  by  the  secrets  of  Allah  !  if  a 
hair  of  my  beard  knew  one  of  my  thoughts  I  would 
pluck  it  out  and  burn  it."* 

As  Morsinia  withdrew,  a  eunuch  approached  and 
whispered  to  the  Sultan. 

"  Ah  !  it  is  good  !  good  !  "  cried  the  Monarch. 
"  My  Lord,  the  Grand  Duke  Notaras,  will  re'visit  his 
mansion.  For  him  we  have  provided  a  feast  such 
as  his  master  Palasologus  never  gave  him.  Ah  !  my 
lovely  Arnaout  shall  sit  at  my  right  hand — for  the 
queen  of  beauty  has  precedence  to-day,"  said  he, 
addressing  Elissa.  "And  the  Egyptian  shall  make 
me  merry  with  the  music  of  her  voice,  which  I  doubt 
not  is  sweeter  than  the  strains  of  her  native  Memnon. 
And,  Tamlich,  you  shall  do  me  the  honor  of  represent- 
ing the  king  of  Nubia,  and  lie  there  opposite." 

The  eunuch  stood  bewildered  ;  for  never  before  had 
a  Moslem  proposed  to  introduce  into  his  harem  the 
person  of  any  man,  as  now  the  Duke  of  Notaras  was 
to  look  upon  the  beauties  who  should  be  reserved 
solely  for  the  feasting  of  the  Padishah's  eyes. 

Mahomet,  knowing  his  thoughts,  bade  him  obey, 
and  cried, 

"  Let  the  fair  houris  veil  their  faces  with  their 
blushes.  Bring  in  Notaras  !  " 

Three  blacks  entered,  each  bearing  a  great  salver, 
on  which  was  a  covered  dish  of  gold. 

"  To  Tamlich  I  demit  the  honors  of  the  board," 
said  he,  waving  the  foremost  waiter  toward  the  eunuch, 
whose  face  almost  blanched  at  the  strange  turn  affairs 

*A  similar  remark  was  made  afterward  by  Mahomet  II.  to  a  chief 
officer  who  asked  him  his  plans  for  a  certain  campaign. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         319 

were  taking,  or  perhaps  with  the  suspicion  that  to-mor- 
row his  head  would  fall  from  his  shoulders  as  the  pen- 
alty of  having  witnessed  the  Padishah  disgrace  him- 
self. 

The  attendants  placed  the  dishes  before  the  eunuch 
and  the  two  favored  beauties.  The  covers  removed 
revealed  the  ghastly  sight  of  three  human  heads,  their 
unclosed  eyes  staring  upward  from  their  distorted 
faces  and  gory  locks.  The  eunuch  leaped  from  the 
divan.  The  women  fell  back  shrieking  and  fainting. 
They  were  the  heads  of  the  Grand  Duke  Notaras  and 
his  two  children. 

Well  did  the  Sultan  need  the  strong  diversion  of  the 
drunken  revelry  to  drown  the  thoughts  of  what  he  knew 
to  be  transpiring  at  the  hour.  In  spite  of  his  royal 
word  to  the  distinguished  captive  who  had  made  his 
submission  absolute,  except  to  the  extent  of  seeing  his 
children  dishonored  to  the  vilest  purposes,  Mahomet 
had  ordered  that  Notaras  should  be  beheaded  at  the 
Hippodrome,  having  been  first  compelled  to  witness 
the  decapitation  of  his  family. 

Even  Mahomet  was  sobered  by  the  horrid  ghoul- 
ism  he  had  devised,  and  dismissed  the  terror-stricken 
revelers  with  a  volley  of  curses. 


320          THE  CAPTAIN  Of  THE  JANIZARIES. 

CHAPTER  XLV. 

THE  courage  of  Morsinia  when  she  appeared  before 
Mahomet  had  been  stimulated  by  an  event  which 
occurred  a  little  before  her  summons. 

She  was  sitting  by  the  latticed  window  in  the  house 
of  Phranza.  It  overlooked  the  wall  surrounding  the 
garden,  which  on  that  side  was  a  narrow  enclosure. 
This  had  been  her  favorite  resort  in  brighter  days. 
From  it  she  could  see  what  passed  in  the  broad  highway 
beyond,  while  the  close  latticed  woodwork  prevented 
her  being  seen  by  those  without.  While  musing  there 
she  was  strangely  attracted  by  an  officer  who  fre- 
quently passed.  His  shape  and  stature  reminded  her 
strongly  of  Constantine.  As  he  turned  his  face  to- 
ward the  mansion  the  features  seemed  identical  with 
those  of  her  foster  brother.  Recovering  from  the 
stroke  of  surprise  this  apparition  gave  her,  Morsinia 
rubbed  her  eyes  to  make  sure  she  was  not  dreaming, 
and  looked  again.  He  was  in  conversation  with 
another.  It  could  not  be  Constantine,  for,  aside  from 
the  general  belief  in  Constantine's  death  before  the 
termination  of  the  siege,  this  person  was  saluted  with 
great  reverence  by  the  soldiers  who  passed  by,  and 
approached  with  familiarity  by  other  officers  of 
rank. 

The  sight  brought  into  vivid  conviction  what  had 
long  been  her  day  dream,  namely,  that  Michael,  her 
childhood  playmate,  might  be  living,  and  if  so,  would 
probably  be  among  the  Turkish  soldiers ;  for  his 
goodly  physique  and  talent,  displayed  as  a  lad,  would 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         321 

certainly  have  been  cultivated  by  his  captors.  She 
now  felt  certain  of  her  theory.  So  strong  was  the 
impression,  and  so  active  and  exciting  her  thoughts 
as  she  endeavored  to  devise  a  way  by  which  the  dis- 
covery might  be  utilized  to  the  advantage  of  both,  that 
even  the  loathsome  splendor  of  the  Sultan's  garden 
party,  had  not  impressed  her  as  it  otherwise  would 
have  done. 

For  several  days  after  she  was  almost  oblivious  to  the 
monotony  of  the  harem  life  ;  so  busy  was  she  with  her 
new  problem.  She  determined  that,  at  any  cost,  she 
would  bring  herself  into  communication  with  the 
officer,  and,  if  her  theory  should  be  confirmed,  declare 
herself,  and  boldly  propose  that  he  should  rescue  her. 
For  she  could  not  conceive  that,  however  much  he 
had  become  accustomed  to  Turkish  life,  he  had  lost 
all  yearning  for  his  liberty  and  all  impression  of  his 
Christian  faith. 

But  how  could  she  convey  any  intelligence  to  him  ? 
Except  through  the  eunuchs,  the  inmates  of  the 
harem  had  little  communication  with  the  outer  world. 
The  customs  of  life  there  were  as  inflexible  as  the 
walls. 

To  her  natural  ingenuity,  now  so  quickened  by  neces- 
sity and  hope,  there  at  length  appeared  an  end  thread 
of  the  tangle.  The  women  of  the  harem  relieved  the 
tedium  of  their  existence  by  making  various  articles, 
the  construction  of  which  might  not  mar  the  delicacy 
of  their  fingers ;  such  as  needlework  upon  their  own 
clothing,  coverings  for  cushions,  curtains,  tapestried 
hangings,  spreads  for  couches,  cases  in  which  the 
Koran  could  be  kept  so  that  even  when  being  read  it 


322         THE  CA  P  TA  IN  OF  THE  JA  NIZA  RIES. 

need  not  be  touched  by  the  fingers,  bags  of  scented 
powders,  and  the  like.  Many  of  these  articles  were 
disposed  of  at  the  bazaars  of  the  city,  and  the  pro- 
ceeds spent  by  the  odalisks  at  their  own  caprice  ; 
generally  for  confections  and  gew-gaws.  At  the  time 
there  was  quite  a  demand  for  articles  made  in  the 
harem.  Many  thousands  of  Moslems  had  been 
imported  from  Asia  Minor  to  take  the  place  of  the 
rapidly  disappearing  Greek  population.  Large  stores 
of  articles  were  sent  from  the  great  harem  at  Adrian- 
ople,  and  sold  for  fabulous  prices  in  the  bazaars  of 
Stamboul,  as  the  new  capital  was  called  by  the  Turks. 
The  agents  for  the  sale  of  these  things  were  generally 
the  female  attendants  at  the  harem,  who  had  free 
association  with  the  bazaar  keepers.  Sometimes  these 
women  sold  directly  to  the  individual  purchasers 
without  going  to  the  trade  places.  An  officer  or  young 
citizen  was  often  inveigled  into  buying,  and  paying 
exorbitant  prices  too,  on  hearing  that  some  odalisk 
had  set  longing  eyes  upon  him,  and  wrought  the  purse 
or  belt,  the  dagger-sheath  or  embroidered  jacket,  as  a 
special  evidence  of  her  favor.  Many  were  the  stories 
which  the  gallants  of  the  city  and  garrison  were  accus- 
tomed to  tell,  as  they  displayed  their  purchases,  about 
nocturnal  adventures,  in  which  they  were  guided  only 
by  a  pair  of  bright  eyes,  and  of  favors  received  from 
beauties  whose  names,  of  course,  prudence  forbade 
them  to  mention.  All  the  traditions  of  lovers,  romances 
of  moon-shadowed  grottoes,  and  all  the  stories  of 
castles  with  the  thread  at  the  window,  that  have  been 
told  from  the  beginning  of  the  world,  had  their  coun- 
terpart in  those  the  swains  of  Stamboul  told  about 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          323 

the  Sultan's  earthly  paradise  at  Adrianople,  or  those 
which,  in  their  amatory  bantering,  they  had  made  to 
cluster  about  the  villa  of  the  late  Phranza  at  the  new 
capital. 

An  old  woman,  who,  formerly  a  servant  in  the 
harem,  had  been  given  by  the  Valide  Sultana,  the 
mother  of  Amurath,  to  a  subaltern  officer  as  wife,  but 
had  long  been  a  widow,  was  permitted  freely  to  enter 
the  haremlik,  and  engaged  as  a  convenient  broker 
between  those  within  and  those  without.  One  day 
Morsinia,  in  giving  her  some  of  her  handiwork  for 
sale,  held  up  an  elegant  case  of  silk  containing 
several  little  crystals,  or  phials,  of  atar  of  roses. 

"  Kala-Hanoum,  do  you  know  the  young  Captain 
Ballaban  ? " 

"  Ay,  the  Knight  of  the  Golden  Horn  ? "  asked 
the  woman. 

"  And  why  do  they  call  him  that  ?  " 

"  Because,"  she  replied,  "  his  head  glows  like  one,  I 
suppose." 

"  Yes,  he  is  the  man — Well !  find  him— Tell  him  any 
story  you  please  about  my  beauty." 

"  I  need  not  invent  one  ;  I  must  only  tell  the  truth 
to  bewitch  him,"  replied  the  old  dame,  with  real  fond- 
ness and  admiration.  "  But  that  will  be  difficult.  I 
can  invent  a  lie  better  than  describe  the  truth,  unless 
you  help  me." 

"  Well,"  said  Morsinia,  "  tell  him  as  much  truth  about 
my  appearance  as  you  can,  and  invent  the  rest.  Tell 
him — let  me  see — that  my  eyes  are  as  bright  as  the 
stars  that  shine  above  the  Balkans." 

"  Do  they  shine  there  more  brilliantly  than  here 


324         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

where  they  make    their   toilet  in    the  Bosphorus  ? " 
asked  the  woman. 

"  Oh  !  yes,"  said  Morsinia,  "  for  the  air  is  clearest 
there  of  any  place  on  the  earth.  Tell  him,  too,  that  my 
teeth  are  as  white  as  the  snows  that  lie  in  the  pass  of 
Slatiza." 

"  Where  is  that  ? "  queried  the  messenger. 
"  Oh  !  it  is  a  grotto  I  have  heard  of,  that  lies  very 
high  up  toward  the  sky,  where  the  snows  are  unsoiled 
by  passing  through  the  clouds,  which,  you  know, 
always  tints  them.  And  then  tell  him  that  altogether  I 
am  as  queenly  as — as — well !  as  the  wonderful  Eliza- 
beth Morsiney,  the  bride  of  the  Christian  king  Sigis- 
mund." 

"  Elizabeth  Morsiney  ?  yes,  I  will  remember  that 
name,  if  some  day  you  will  tell  me  her  story." 

"  That  I  will,"  said  Morsinia.  "  And  tell  the  young 
officer  that  the  odalisk  who  made  this  lovely  case  has 
dreamed  of  him  ever  since  she  was  a  child." 
"  He  cannot  resist  that,"  said  the  woman. 
"  But  you  must  sell  it  to  no  one  else.  And  see  this 
elegant  sash  of  cashmere  !  I  will  give  it  to  you  to  sell 
on  your  own  account,  Hanoum,  if  you  bring  me  some 
sure  evidence  that  he  has  bought  the  case  of  perfume. 
And  be  sure  to  tell  him  that  just  when  the  sun  is  set- 
ting he  must  go  somewhere  alone,  and  look  at  the 
sun  through  each  of  the  little  phials,  and  he  may  see 
the  face  of  her  who  sent  them  ;  for  you  know  that  a 
true  lover  can  always  see  the  one  who  sends  a  phial 
of  atar  of  roses  in  the  sun  glints  from  its  sides. 
And  when  you  bring  me  evidence  that  he  has  bought 
it,  then,  good  Kala,  you  shall  have  the  sash  of  cash- 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         325 

mere."     The  old  woman's  cupidity  hastened  her  feet 
upon  her  errand. 


CHAPTER  XLVI. 

"  P)EACE  be  with  thee  ! "  said  the  old  woman, 
1  dropping  a  low  courtesy  to  the  officer,  as  he 
walked  near  the  new  buildings  of  the  seraglio. 

"  Peace  be  unto  thee,  and  the  mercy  of  God  and  His 
blessing,*  good  woman !"  replied  the  soldier ;  but 
waving  his  hand,  added  kindly,  "  I  have  no  need  of 
your  harem  trumpery." 

"But  see  this  !"  said  she,  showing  the  elegant  case 
of  perfumery.  "  This  holds  the  essence  of  the  flowers 
of  paradise." 

"  Go  along,  old  mother  !  I  would  have  no  taste  for 
it  if  it  contained  the  sweat  of  the  houris."  f 

"  But  this  case  was  made  especially  for  you,  Captain 
Ballaban." 

"  Or  for  any  other  man  whose  purse  will  buy  it," 
replied  he,  moving  away. 

The  woman  followed  closely,  chattering  into  his 
deaf  ears. 

"  But,  could  you  see  her  that  made  it,  you  would  not 
decline  to  buy,  though  you  gave  for  it  half  the  gold 
you  found  in  the  coffers  of  the  rich  Greeks  the  day 

*  Koran,  Chapter  IV.  "  When  you  are  saluted  with  a  salutation, 
salute  the  person  with  a  better  salutation,  or  at  least  return  the 
same, 

f  According  to  the  Koran  the  houris  perspire  musk. 


326         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES, 

your  valor  won  the  city,  brave  Captain  ;  and  the  cost 
of  it  is  but  a  lira  ;*  and  the  maiden  is  dying  of  love 
for  you." 

"  Then  why  does  she  not  give  it  to  me  as  a  present  ? 
Love  asks  no  price,"  said  he,  just  turning  his  head. 

"  That  she  would,  but  for  fear  of  offending  your 
honor  by  slighting  your  purse,"  said  the  quick-witted 
woman. 

"  Well  said,  mother  !  I  warrant  that  the  Beyler 
Bey,  or  the  noble  Kaikji,f  who  made  love  to  you  never 
got  you  for  nothing." 

"  Indeed,  no!  He  paid  the  Valide'  Sultana  ten  prov- 
inces, and  a  brass  buckle  besides,  to  prevent  her  giv- 
ing me  to  Timour  ;  who  took  it  so  hard  that  he  would 
have  broken  his  heart,  but  that  the  grief  went  the 
wrong  way  and  cracked  his  legs,  and  so  they  call  him 
Timour-lenk.  That  was  the  reason  he  made  war  on 
the  Ottomans.  It  was  all  out  of  jealousy  for  me," 
said  she,  making  a  low  and  mock  courtesy.  "  But  if 
you  could  see  the  beautiful  odalisk  who  made  this ! 
Her  form  is  as  stately  as  the  dome  of  St.  Sophia." 

"  She's  too  big  and  squatty,  if  she's  like  that," 
laughed  the  officer. 

"  Her  face  glows  in  complexion  like  the  mother  of 
pearl,"  went  on  the  enthusiastic  saleswoman. 

"  Too  hard  of  cheek  !  "  sneered  the  other.  "  Even 
yours,  Hanoum,  is  not  so  hard  as  mother  of  pearl." 

"  A  neck  like  alabaster — 

"  Cold  !  too  cold  !  I  would  as  soon  think  of  making 
love  to  a  gravestone,"  was  the  officer's  comment. 

*  About  an  English  pound  sterling. 
f  Kaikji ;  a  common  boatman. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         327 

"  And  such  melting  lips " 

"  Yes,  with  blisters  !  I  tell  you,  old  Hanoum,  I'm 
woman  proof.  Go  away  !  " 

"  And  her  eyes  shine  through  her  long  lashes  like 
the  stars  through  the  fir  trees  on  the  Balkans." 

"  Tut !  Woman,  you  never  saw  the  stars  shine 
on  the  Balkans.  They  do  shine  there,  though,  like  the 
very  eyes  of  Allah.  A  woman  with  such  eyes  would 
frighten  the  Padishah  himself." 

Kala  Hanoum  took  courage  at  this  first  evidence  of 
interest  on  the  part  of  the  officer,  and  plied  her  ad- 
vantage. 

"  And  her  teeth  are  as  white  as  the  snows  in  the 
grotto  of  Slatiza — " 

"  The  grotto  of  Slatiza  ?  You  mean  some  bear's 
cave.  But  the  snows  are  white  there,  whiter  and 
purer  than  anywhere  else  on  earth,  except  as  I  once 
saw  them,  so  red  with  blood,  there  in  the  Pass  of 
Slatiza.  But  how  know  you  of  Slatiza,  my  good 
woman  ? " 

"  And  altogether  she  is  as  fair  as  the  bride  of  Sigis- 
mund  of  Hungary,"  said  Kala,  without  regarding  his 
question. 

"  And  who  was  she,  Hanoum  ? "  asked  the  man, 
with  curiosity  fully  aroused. 

"  Why,  Elizabeth  Morsiney,  of  course." 

The  officer  turned  fully  toward  the  woman,  and 
scanned  closely  her  features  as  if  to  discover  some- 
thing familiar.  Was  there  not  some  hint  to  be  picked 
from  these  words  ? 

"  Hanoum,  who  told  you  to  say  that  ?  " 

The  woman   in  turn  studied  his  face  before  she 


328  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

replied.  She  would  learn  whether  the  allusions  had 
excited  a  pleasant  interest,  or  roused  antagonism  in 
him.  It  required  but  a  moment  for  her  to  discover 
that  Morsinia  had  given  her  some  clue  that  the  man 
Would  willingly  follow,  so  she  boldly  replied  : 

"  The  odalisk  herself  has  talked  to  me  of  these 
things." 

"  The  odalisk  !  What  is  she  like  ? "  said  he  eagerly. 
"  Describe  her  to  me." 

"  Why,  I  have  been  describing  her  for  this  half- 
hour  ;  but  you  would  not  listen.  So  I  will  go  off 
and  do  my  next  errand." 

The  woman  turned  away,  but,  as  she  intended  it 
should  be,  the  officer  was  now  in  the  attitude  of  the 
beggar. 

"  Hold,  Hanoum,  I  will  buy  your  perfume — But  tell 
me  what  she  is  like  in  plain  words.  Is  she  of  light 
hair  ?" 

"  Ay,  as  if  she  washed  it  in  the  sunshine  and  dried 
it  in  the  moonlight,  and  as  glossy  as  the  beams  of 
both." 

"  Think  you  she  belonged  to  Stamboul  before  the 
siege?" 

"  Ay,  and  to  the  great  Scanderbeg  before 
that." 

The  officer  was  bewildered  and  stood  thinking, 
until  Kala  interrupted  him. 

"  But  you  said  you  would  buy  it,  Captain." 

"  Did  I  ?  Well,  take  your  lira." 

As  the  woman  took  the  piece  of  money  she  added: 
"  And  don't  forget  that  the  odalisk  said  she  had 
dreamed  of  you  since  she  was  a  child,  and  that  at 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         329 

sunset  if  you  looked  through  the  phials  you  would  see 
her  face." 

"  Nonsense,  woman  !  " 

"  But  try  it,  Sire,  and  maybe  the  noble  Captain 
would  send  something  to  the  beautiful  odalisk  ? " 

"  Yes,  when  I  see  her  in  the  phial  I  will  send  her 
myself  as  her  slave." 

The  man  thrust  the  silken  case  into  the  deep 
pocket  of  his  flowing  vest  and  went  away. 

Then  began  a  struggle  in  Captain  Ballaban.  Since 
the  capture  of  the  fair  girl  by  the  altar  of  St.  Sophia, 
he  had  been  unable  to  efface  the  remembrance  of 
her.  She  stood  before  him  in  his  dreams  :  some- 
times just  falling  beneath  the  dagger  ;  sometimes  in 
the  splendor  which  he  imagined  to  surround  her  in 
the  harem  ;  often  in  mute  appeal  to  him  to  save  her 
from  the  nameless  horrors  which  her  cry  indicated  that 
she  dreaded.  When  waking,  his  mind  was  often  dis- 
tracted by  thoughts  of  her.  The  presence  of  the 
Sultan  lost  its  charm,  for  he  had  come  to  look  upon 
him  as  her  owner,  and  to  feel  himself  in  some  way 
despoiled.  He  was  losing  his  ambition  for  distant 
service,  and  found  himself  often  loitering  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  the  Phranza  palace. 

This  feeling  which,  perhaps,  is  experienced  by  most 
men,  at  least  once  in  life,  as  the  spell  of  a  fair  face  is 
thrown  over  them,  was  associated  with  a  deeper  and 
more  serious  one  in  Captain  Ballaban. 

From  the  day  of  her  capture  until  now  he  had  felt 
almost  confident  of  her  identity  with  his  little  play- 
mate in  the  mountain  home.  She  thus  linked  together 
his  earliest  and  later  life  ;  and,  as  he  thought  of  her, 


33°         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

he  thought  of  the  contrast  in  himself  then  and  now. 
The  things  he  used  to  muse  about  when  a  child,  his 
feelings  then,  his  purposes,  his  religious  faith,  all  came 
back  to  him,  and  with  a  strange  strength  and  fascina- 
tion. He  began  to  realize  that,  though  he  was  an 
enthusiast  for  both  the  Moslem  belief  and  the  service 
of  the  Ottoman,  yet  he  had  become  such,  not  in  his 
own  free  choice,  but  by  the  overpowering  will  of  others. 
At  heart  he  rebelled,  while  he  could  not  say 
that  he  had  come  to  disbelieve  a  word  of  the 
Koran,  and  was  not  willing  to  harbor  a  purpose 
against  the  sovereignty  of  the  Padishah.  Still  he  was 
compelled  to  confess  to  himself  that,  if  the  fair  woman 
were  indeed  his  old  play-mate,  and  there  was  open 
a  way  by  which  he  could  release  her  from  her  captivity, 
he  would  risk  so  much  of  disloyalty  to  the  Sultan  as 
the  attempt  should  require.  Indeed,  he  argued  to 
himself  that,  except  in  the  mere  form  of  it,  it  would 
not  be  disloyalty  ;  for  what  did  Mahomet  care  for  one 
woman  more  or  less  in  his  harem  ?  And  was  this 
woman  not,  after  all,  more  his  property  than  she  was 
that  of  the  Padishah  ?  He  had  captured  her  ;  per- 
haps twice  ;  and  had  saved  her  life  in  St.  Sophia,  for 
only  his  hand  caught  her  dagger.  She  was  his  ! 

Then  he  became  fond  of  indulging  a  day  dream. 
The  Sultan  sometimes  gave  the  odalisks  to  his  favorite 
pashas  and  servants.  What  if  this  one  should  be 
given  to  him  ? 

He  had  gone  so  far  as  once  to  say  in  response  to 
the  Sultan,  who  twitted  him  for  being  in  love,  that  he 
imagined  such  to  be  the  case,  and  only  needed  the 
choice  of  His  Majesty  to  locate  the  passion.  But 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         331 

he  did  not  dare  to  be  more  specific,  lest  he  might  run 
across  some  caprice  of  the  Sultan  ;  for  he  felt  sure 
that  so  beautiful  an  odalisk  as  his  captive  would  not 
long  be  without  the  royal  attention. 

Old  Kala  Hanoum's  information  regarding  the  fair 
odalisk  allayed  the  turmoil  in  Ballaban's  breast,  in 
that  it  gave  certainty  to  his  former  suspicions.  For 
her  words  about  the  stars  above  the  Balkans,  the  snows 
of  Slatiza,  and  Elizabeth  Morsiney,  were  not  acci- 
dental. He  had  no  doubt  that  the  Albanian  odalisk 
was  the  little  lady  to  whom  he  once  made  love  in  the 
bowers  of  blackberry  bushes,  and  vowed  to  defend 
like  a  true  knight,  waving  his  wooden  sword  over  the 
head  of  the  goat  he  rode  as  a  steed.  In  the  midst  of 
such  thoughts  and  emotions,  Captain  Ballaban  awoke 
to  full  self-consciousness,  and  said  to  himself 

"  I  am  in  love  !  But  I  am  a  fool !  For  a  man  with 
ambition  must  never  be  in  love,  except  with  himself. 
Besides,  this  woman  I  love  is  perhaps  half  in  my 
imagination  ;  for  I  never  yet  caught  a  full  view  of  her 
face.  As  for  her  being  my  little  Morsinia — Illusion  ! 
No  !  this  is  no  illusion  !  But  what  if  she  be  the  same  ! 
Captain  Ballaban,  are  you  going  to  be  a  soldier,  or  a 
lover  ?  Take  your  choice  ;  for  you  can't  be  both,  at 
least  not  an  Ottoman  soldier  and  a  lover  of  a  Christian 
girl." 

Rubbing  his  hand  through  his  red  hair,  as  if  to  pull 
out  these  fantasies,  he  strode  down  to  the  water's 
edge,  and,  tossing  a  Kaikji  a  few  piasters,  was  in  a 
moment  darting  like  an  arrow  across  the  harbor  ; — 
a  customary  way  the  captain  had  of  getting  rid  of  any 
vexation.  The  cool  evening  breeze  wooed  the  over- 


332          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

thcughtfulness  from  his  brain,  or  he  spurted  it  oui 
through  his  muscles  into  the  oar  blades,  which  dropped 
it  into  the  water  of  oblivion. 

He  was  scarcely  aware  that  he  was  becoming  more 
tranquil,  when  a  quick  cry  of  a  boat  keeper  showed 
that  he  had  almost  run  down  the  old  tower  of  white 
marble  which  rises  from  a  rocky  islet,  just  away 
from  the  mainland  on  the  Asiatic  side  of  the.  Bos- 
phorus. 

"  Kiss-Koulessi,  the  Maiden's  Tower,  this,"  he  mut- 
tered. "  Well,  I  have  fled  from  the  fortress  of  one 
maiden  to  run  against  that  of  another.  Fate  is  against 
me.  Perhaps  I  had  better  submit.  Why  not  ?  Wasn't 
Chans  a  valiant  general  of  the  old  Greeks,  who  sent 
him  here,  once  on  a  time,  to  help  the  Byzantines  ? 
Well !  He  had  a  wife,  the  fair  Boiidion,  the  '  heifer- 
eyed  maiden.'  And  here  she  lies  beneath  this  tower. 
The  world  would  have  forgotten  General  Charis,  but 
for  his  wife  Damalis,  whom  they  have  remembered 
these  two  thousand  years.  A  wife  may  be  the  making 
of  a  man's  fame.  If  the  Sultan  would  give  me  my 
pick  of  the  odalisks  I  think  I  would  venture." 

These  thoughts  were  not  interrupted,  only  supple- 
mented, by  the  sun's  rays,  now  nearly  horizontal, 
as  striking  the  water  far  up  the  harbor  of  Stamboul, 
they  poured  over  it  and  made  it  seem  indeed  a  Golden 
Horn,  the  open  end  of  which  extended  into  the  Bos- 
phorus.  The  ruddy  glow  tipped  the  dome  of  St. 
Sophia  as  with  fire  ;  transformed  the  gray  walls  of  the 
Genoese  tower  at  Galata  into  a  huge  porphyry  column, 
sparkling  with  a  million  crystals  ;  and  made  the  white 
marble  of  the  Maiden's  Tower  blush  like  the  neck  of 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.  333 

a  living  maiden,  when  kissed  for  the  first  time  by  the 
hot  lips  of  her  lover. 

So  the  Captain  thought  :  and  was  reminded  to 
inspect  the  silken  treasure  he  had  purchased.  He 
would  look  through  the  phials,  as — who  knows — he 
might  see  the  face  of  her  who  sent  them.  If  looking 
at  the  red  orb  of  the  sun,  just  for  an  instant,  made  his 
eyes  see  a  hundred  sombre  suns  dancing  along  the 
sky,  it  would  not  be  strange  if  his  long  meditation 
upon  a  certain  radiant  maiden  should  enable  him  to 
see  her,  at  least  in  one  shadowy  reproduction  of  his 
inner  vision. 

He  drew  the  silken  case  from  his  pocket.  It  was 
wrought  with  real  skill,  and  worth  the  lira,  even  if  it 
had  contained  nothing,  and  meant  nothing.  The 
little  phials  were  held  up  one  by  one,  and  divided  the 
sun's  beams  into  prismatic  hues  as  they  passed 
through  the  twisted  glass.  In  each  was  a  drop  or  two 
of  sweet  essence,  like  an  imprisoned  soul,  waiting  to 
be  released,  that  it  might  fly  far  and  wide  and  distill 
its  perfume  as  a  secret  blessing. 

"  But  this  one  is  imperfect,"  muttered  the  Captain, 
as  he  held  up  a  phial  that  was  nearly  opaque.  It  was 
larger  than  the  others,  and  contained  a  tightly  wrapped 
piece  of  paper.  "  The  clue  !  "  said  he,  and,  after 
a  moment's  hesitation,  broke  the  phial.  Unwinding 
the  paper,  he  read  : 

"  You  are  Michael,  son  of  Milosch.  I  am  Morsinia, 
child  of  Kabilovitsch.  For  the  love  of  Jesu  !  save  me 
from  this  hell.  We  can  communicate  by  this  means." 

It  was  a  long  row  that  Captain  Ballaban  took  that 
night  upon  the  Bosphorus.  Yet  he  went  not  far,  but 


334         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

back  and  forth  around  the  new  seraglio  point,  scarcely 
out  of  sight  of  the  clear-cut  outline  of  the  Phranza 
Palace,  as  it  stood  out  against  the  sky  above  the 
ordinary  dwellings  of  the  city.  The  dawn  began  to 
peer  over  the  hills  back  of  Chalcedon,  and  to  send  its 
scouts  of  ruddy  light  down  the  side  of  Mt.  Olympus, 
when  he  landed.  But  the  length  of  the  night  to  him 
could  not  be  measured  by  hours.  He  had  lived  over 
again  ten  years.  He  had  gone  through  a  battle  which 
tired  his  soul  as  it  had  never  been  tired  un  der  the 
flashing  of  steel  and  the  roar  of  culverin.  Only  once 
before,  when,  as  a  mere  child  he  was  conquered  by  the 
terrors  of  the  Janizaries'  discipline,  had  he  suffered  so 
intensely.  Yet  the  battle  was  an  undecided  one.  He 
staggered  up  the  hill  from  the  landing  to  the  barracks 
with  the  cry  of  conflict  ringing  through  his  soul.  "  What 
shall  I  do  ? "  On  the  one  side  were  the  habit  of  loyalty, 
his  oath  of  devotion  to  the  Padishah,  all  his  earthly 
ambition  which  blazed  with  splendors  just  before  him 
— for  he  was  the  favorite  of  both  the  Sultan  and  the 
soldiers — and  all  that  the  education  of  his  riper  years 
had  led  him  to  hope  for  in  another  world.  On  the 
other  side  were  this  new  passion  of  love  which  he 
could  no  longer  laugh  down,  and  the  appeal  of  a  help- 
less fellow  creature  for  rescue  from  what  he  knew  was 
injustice,  cruelty  and  degradation  ; — the  first  personal 
appeal  a  human  being  had  ever  made  to  him,  and  he 
the  only  human  being  to  whom  she  could  appeal.  To 
heed  this  cry  of  Morsinia  he  knew  would  be  treason 
to  his  outward  and  sworn  loyalty.  To  refuse  to  heed 
it  he  felt  would  be  treason  to  his  manhood.  What 
could  he  do  ?  Neither  force  was  preponderating. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         335 

The  battle  wavered. 

What  did  he  do  ?  What  most  people  do  in  such 
circumstances — he  temporized  :  said,  "  I  will  do 
nothing  to-day."  Like  a  genuine  Turk  he  grunted  to 
himself,  "  Bacaloum  !  "  "  We  shall  see  !  " 

But  though  he  arranged  and  ordered  an  armistice 
between  his  contending  thoughts,  there  was  no  real 
cessation  of  hostilities.  Arguments  battered  against 
arguments.  Feelings  of  the  gentler  sort  mined  in- 
cessantly beneath  those  which  he  would  have  called 
the  braver  and  more  manly.  And  the  latter  counter- 
mined :  loyalty  against  love  :  ambition  against  pity. 

But  all  the  time  the  gentler  ones  were  gaining 
strength.  On  their  side  was  the  advantage  of  a 
definite  picture — a  lovely  face  ;  of  an  immediate  and 
tangible  project — the  rescue  of  an  individual.  The 
danger  of  the  enterprise  weighed  nothing  with  him,  or, 
at  least,  it  was  counter-balanced  by  the  inspiriting 
anticipation  of  an  adventure,  an  exploit  : — the  very 
hazard  rather  fascinating  than  repelling.  Yet  he  had 
not  decided. 


CHAPTER    XLVII. 

pAPTAIN    BALLABAN    was   summoned  by  the 
\j     Sultan. 

"  Well,  comrade,"  said  Mahomet,  familiarly  throw- 
ing his  arm  about  his  friend,  much  to  the  disgust  of 
the  Capee  Aga,  the  master  of  ceremonies,  through 


336          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

whom  alone  it  was  the  custom  of  the  Sultans  to  be 
approached. 

"  Well  !  comrade,  I  gave  a  necklace  worth  a  thou- 
sand liras  to  a  girl  who  pleased  me  in  the  harem." 

"  Happy  girl,  to  have  pleased  your  Majesty.  That 
was  better  than  the  necklace,"  replied  Ballaban. 

*•'  Think  you  so  ?  Let  me  look  you  through  and 
through.  Think  you  there  is  nothing  better  in  this 
world  than  to  please  the  Padishah  ?  Ah  !  it  is  worth 
a  kingdom  to  hear  that  from  a  man  like  you,  Ballaban. 
Women  say  it  ;  but  they  can  do  nothing  for  me. 
They  dissipate  my  thoughts  with  their  pleasuring  me. 
They  make  me  weak.  I  have  a  mind  to  abolish  the 
whole  harem.  But  to  have  a  man,  a  strong  man,  a  man 
with  a  head  to  plot  for  empire  and  to  marshal  armies,  a 
man  with  an  arm  like  thine  to  make  love  to  me  !  Ah, 
that  is  glorious,  comrade.  But  let  me  make  no  mistake 
about  it.  You  love  me  ?  Do  you  really  think  no  gold, 
no  honors,  could  give  you  so  much  pleasure  as  pleas- 
ing me  ?  Swear  it  !  and  by  the  throne  of  Allah  !  I 
will  swear  that  you  shall  share  my  empire.  But  to 
business  !  "  dropping  his  voice,  and  in  the  instant 
becoming  apparently  forgetful  of  his  enthusiasm  for 
his  friend. 

"  We  make  a  campaign  against  Belgrade.  I  must 
go  in  person.  Yet  Scanderbeg  holds  out  in  Albania. 
It  is  useless  meeting  him  in  his  stronghold.  You  can- 
not fight  a  lion  by  crawling  into  his  den.  He  must 
be  trapped.  Work  out  a  plan." 

"  I  have  one  which  may  be  fruitful,"  instantly  replied 
Captain  Ballaban. 

"  Ah  !  so  quick  ?  " 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  T HE  JANIZARIES.        337 

"  No,  of  long  hatching,  Sire.  I  made  it  in  my  first 
campaign  in  Albania  with  your  royal  father.  The 
young  Voivode  Amesa  is  nephew  to  Scanderbeg. 
He  is  restless  under  the  authority  of  the  great 
general  :  has  committed  some  crime  which,  if  known, 
would  bring  him  to  ruin  :  is  popular  with  the  people 
of  the  north." 

"  Capital  !  "  said  Mahomet  eagerly.  "  I  see  it  all. 
Work  it  out  !  Work  it  out  !  He  may  have  anything, 
if  only  Scanderbeg  can  be  put  out  of  the  way,  and 
the  country  be  under  our  suzerainty.  Work  it  out ! 
And  the  suzerain  revenues  shall  all  be  yours  ;  for  by 
the  bones  of  Othman  !  there  is  not  a  province  too 
great  for  you  if  only  you  can  settle  affairs  among  the 
Arnaouts. 

"  And  now  a  gift  !  I  will  send  you  the  very  queen  of 
the  harem." 

"  My  thanks,  Padishah,  but  I "  began  Ballaban, 

when  he  was  cut  short  by  the  Sultan. 

"  Not  a  word  !  not  a  word  !  I  know  you  decline  to 
practice  the  softer  virtues,  and  prefer  to  live  like 
a  Greek  monk.  But  you  must  take  her.  If  you  like 
her  not,  drown  her.  But  you  shall  like  her.  By  the 
dimple  in  the  chin  of  Ayesha  !  she  is  the  most  perfect 
woman  in  the  empire." 

"  But,"  interposed  Ballaban,  "  I  am  a  Janizary, 
and  it  is  not  permitted  a  Janizary  to  marry." 

"  A  fig  for  what  is  permitted  !  When  the  Padi- 
shah gives,  he  grants  permission  to  enjoy  his  gifts. 
Besides,  you  need  not  marry.  You  can  own  her  ; 
sell  her  if  you  don't  like  her.  But  you  must  take 
her." 


22 


338         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

"  Of  what  nation  is  she  ?  Perhaps  I  could  not 
understand  her  tongue,"  objected  Ballaban. 

"  So  much  the  better,"  said  Mahomet.  "  Women 
are  not  made  to  talk.  But  this  woman  is  an 
Arnaout,  from  Scanderbeg's  country." 

Captain  Ballaban  could  scarcely  believe  his  ears. 

This  then  is  Morsinia  !  To  have  her,  to  save  her 
without  breach  of  loyalty  !  This  was  too  much. 
With  strangely  fluttering  heart  he  acquiesced,  and  his 
thanks  were  drawn  from  the  bottom  of  his  soul. 

The  next  day  he  sought  Kala  Hanoum,  and  sent 
by  her  to  Morsinia  a  gem  enclosed  in  a  pretty  casket, 
with  which  was  a  note,  reading, — 

"  It  shall  be  so.  Patience  for  a  few  days,  and  our 
hearts  shall  be  made  glad." 

How  strangely  Fate  had  planned  for  him  !  It  must 
have  been  Fate  ;  for  only  powers  supernal  could  have 
made  the  gift  of  the  Padishah  so  fitting  to  his  heart. 
No  chance  this  !  His  secret  passion,  unbreathed  to 
any  ear  on  earth,  had  been  a  prayer  heard  in 
heaven  ! 

Ballaban  was  now  an  undoubting  Moslem  that  he 
found  Kismet  on  the  side  of  his  inclinations.  Hebe- 
longed  to  Islam,  the  Holy  Resignation  ;  resigned  to  the 
will  of  Providence,  since  Providence  seemed  just  now  to 
have  resigned  itself  to  his  will.  He  was  surprised  at 
the  ecstatic  character  his  piety  was  taking  on.  He 
could  have  become  a  dervish  :  indeed  his  head  was 
already  whirling  with  the  intoxication  of  his  pros- 
pects. 

Captain  Ballaban,  like  a  good  Moslem,  went  to  the 
Mosque.  He  made  his  prayer  toward  the  Mihrab  ; 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         339 

but  his  eyes  and  thoughts  wandered  to  the  spot  at  the 
side  of  it,  where  he  had  saved  the  life  of  Morsinia  ; 
and  he  thanked  Allah  with  full  soul  that  he  had  been 
allowed  to  save  her  for  himself. 

The  Padishah,  the  following  day,  bade  Ballaban 
repair  to  a  house  in  the  city,  and  be  in  readiness  to 
receive  the  gift  of  heaven  and  of  his  own  imperial 
grace.  On  reaching  the  place  an  elderly  woman — 
the  Koulavous,  an  inevitable  attendant  upon  marriages 
— conducted  him  through  the  selamlik  and  mabeyn 
to  the  haremlik  of  the  house.  The  bride  or  slave,  as 
he  pleased  to  take  her,  rose  from  the  divan  to  meet 
him.  Though  her  thick  veil  completely  enveloped  her 
person,  it  could  not  conceal  her  superb  form  and 
marvellous  grace.  His  hand  trembled  with  the  agita- 
tion of  his  delight  as  he  exercised  the  authority 
of  a  husband  or  master,  and  reverently  raised  the 
veil. 

He  stood  as  one  paralyzed  in  amazement.  She  was 
not  Morsinia.  She  was  Elissa  ! 

He  dropped  the  veil. 

Strange  spirits  seemed  to  breathe  themselves  in 
succession  through  his  frame. 

First  came  the  demon  of  disappointment,  checking 
his  blood,  stifling  him.  Not  that  any  other  mortal 
knew  of  his  shattered  hopes  ;  but  it  was  enough  that 
he  knew  them.  And  with  the  consciousness  of  defeat, 
a  horrible  chagrin  bit  and  tore  his  heart,  as  if  it  had 
been  some  dragon  with  teeth  and  claws. 

Then  came  the  demon  of  rage  ;  wild  rage  ;  want- 
ing to  howl  out  its  fury.  He  might  have  smitten  the 
Veiled  form,  had  not  the  latter,  overcome  by  her 


34°          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

bewilderment  and  the  scorn  of  him  she  supposed  to 
have  been  a  lover,  already  fallen  fainting  at  his  feet. 

Then  rose  in  Ballaban's  breast  the  demon  of  ven- 
geance against  the  Sultan.  Had  Mahomet  been 
present  he  surely  had  felt  the  steel  of  the  outraged 
man.  Only  the  habit  of  self-control  and  quiet  review 
of  his  own  passions  prevented  his  seeking  the  Padishah, 
and  taking  instant  vengeance  in  his  blood. 

Then  there  came  into  him  a  great  demon  of  impiety, 
and  breathed  a  curse  against  Allah  himself  through 
his  lips. 

But  finally  a  new  spirit  hissed  into  his  ears.  It  was 
Nemesis.  He  felt  that  this  was  the  moment  when  a 
just  retribution  had  returned  upon  himself.  For  he 
well  knew  the  face  that  lay  weeping  beneath  the  heap 
of  bejewelled  lace  and  silk.  It  was  that  of  the  Dodola, 
whom  he  had  flung  into  the  arms  of  the  Albanian 
Voivode  Amesa  when  he  was  awaiting  the  embrace  of 
some  more  princely  maiden.  And  now  the  sarcasm  of 
fate  had  thrown  her  into  his  arms. 

"  Allah  !  Thou  wast  even  with  me  this  time,"  he 
confessed  back  of  his  clenched  teeth. 

"  But  doubtless,"  he  thought,  "  it  was  through  the 
information  I  gave  to  the  Aga  that  this  girl  has  been 
stolen  away  from  Amesa." 

"  Would  that  heaven  rid  me  of  her  so  easily !  "  he 
muttered.  "  Yet  that  is  easy  ;  thanks  to  our  Moslem 
law,  which  says,  '  Thou  mayest  either  retain  thy  wife 
with  humanity  or  dismiss  her  with  kindness.'*  Yet  I 
cannot  dismiss  her  with  kindness.  She  can  not  go, 
back  to  the  royal  harem.  If  I  dismiss  her  I  harm 

*  Koran,  Chap.  II. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.        341 

her,  and  Allah's  curse  will  be  fatal  if  I  wrong  this 
creature  again — to  say  nothing  of  the  Padishah's  if  I 
throw  away  his  gift.  I  must  keep  her.  Well !  Baca- 
loum  !  Bacaloum  !  It  is  not  so  bad  a  thing  after  all  to 
have  a  woman  like  that  for  one's  slave  ;  for  a  wife 
without  one's  heart  is  but  a  slave.  Well !  "  He  raised 
the  veil  again  from  the  now  sitting  woman. 

The  mutually  stupid  gaze  carried  them  both  through 
several  years  which  had  passed  since  they  had  parted 
at  Amesa's  castle. 

Elissa  was  easily  induced  to  tell  her  story.  Assum- 
ing that  it  might  be  already  known  to  her  new  lord, 
she  gave  it  correctly  ;  and  therefore  it  differed  sub- 
stantially from  that  she  had  told  to  Morsinia.  She  had 
been  but  a  few  days  in  Amesa's  home  when  he  dis- 
covered that  she  was  not  the  person  he  had  presumed 
her  to  be.  In  an  outburst  of  rage  he  would  have  taken 
her  life,  but  was  led  by  an  old  priest  to  adopt  a  more 
merciful  method  of  ridding  himself  of  her.  To  have 
returned  her  to  the  village  above  the  Skadar  would 
have  filled  the  country  with  the  scandal,  and  made 
Amesa  the  laughing  stock  of  all.  She  was  therefore 
sent  within  the  Turkish  lines,  with  the  certainty  of 
finding  her  way  to  some  far-distant  country.  Her 
beauty  saved  her  from  a  common  fate,  and  she  was 
sent  as  a  gift  to  the  young  Padishah  by  an  old  general, 
into  whose  hands  she  had  fallen. 

Ballaban  assured  the  woman  of  his  protection,  and 
also  that  the  time  would  come  when  he  would  com- 
pensate her  for  any  grief  she  had  endured  through  his 
fault.  In  the  meantime  she  was  retained  in  the  lux- 
urious comfort  of  her  new  abode. 


342         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 


CHAPTER  XLVIII. 

PAPTAIN  BALLABAN  was  almost  constantly 

\j  engaged  at  the  new  seraglio.  It  was  being  con- 
structed not  only  with  an  eye  to  its  imposing  appear- 
ance from  without  and  its  beauty  within,  such  as 
befitted  both  its  splendid  site  between  the  waters  and 
the  splendor  of  the  monarch  whose  palace  it  was  to  be  ; 
but  also  with  a  view  to  its  easy  defence  in  case  of 
assault.  Upon  the  young  officer  devolved  the  duty 
of  scrutinizing  every  line  and  layer  that  went  into  the 
various  structures. 

He  was  especially  interested  in  the  side  entrances, 
and  communications  between  the  various  departments 
of  the  seraglio.  He  gave  orders  for  a  change  to  be 
made  in  the  line  of  a  partition  and  corridor,  and  also 
for  a  slight  variation  in  the  position  of  a  gateway  in 
the  walls  dividing  the  mabeyn*  court  from  that  of  the 
haremlik.  Just  why  these  changes  were  made,  per- 
haps the  architects  themselves  could  not  have  told  ; 
nor  were  they  interested  to  enquire,  supposing  that 
they  were  made  at  the  royal  will.  Ballaban  was  dis- 
posed to  indulge  a  little  his  own  fancy.  If  there  was 
to  be  a  broad  entrance  for  public  display,  and  then  a 
narrow  passage  for  the  Sultan  only,  why  not  have  a 
way  through  which  he  could  imagine  a  fair  odalisk 
fleeing  from  insult  and  torture  into  the  arms  of — him- 
self ?  But  Ballaban's  face  grew  pale  as  he  watched 

*  The  mabeyn  lies  between  the  selamlik  (general  reception 
room  for  men)  and  the  haremlik  ;  and  is  the  living  apartment  for 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         343 

the  completion  of  a  sluice  way  leading  from  a  little 
chamber,  down  through  the  sea  wall,  to  meet  the 
rapid  current  of  the  Bosphorus.  He  remembered  the 
declaration  of  the  Padishah,  that,  if  ever  an  odalisk 
were  unfaithful  to  him,  she  should  be  sewn  into  a  bag, 
together  with  a  cat  and  a  snake,  and  drowned  in 
Marmora.* 

In  the  meantime  old  Kala  Hanoum  was  amazed  at 
the  number  of  articles  of  Morsinia's  handiwork  she 
was  able  to  induce  the  young  captain  to  purchase. 
Indeed,  he  never  refused.  And  quite  frequently  she 
was  the  bearer  of  gifts,  generally  confections,  some- 
times little  rolls  of  silk  suitable  for  embroidery  with 
colored  threads  or  beads,  accompanied  by  the  name 
of  some  fellow  officer  of  the  Janizaries  from  whom 
apparently  an  order  for  work  was  given  ;  the  Captain 
acting  as  an  agent  in  a  sort  of  co-partnership  with 
Kala.  Of  course  this  was  only  secret  mail  serv- 
ice between  Ballaban  and  the  odalisk.  If  Kala  sus- 
pected it,  her  commissions  were  so  largely  remunera- 
tive that  she  silenced  the  thought  of  any  thing  but 
legitimate  business. 

Ballaban  devised  plans  for  her  escape  which  Mor- 
sinia  found  it  impracticable  to  execute  from  her  side 
of  the  harem  wall  ;  and  her  shrewdest  suggestions 
were  pronounced  equally  unsafe  by  the  strategist 
without.  Ballaban  had  caught  glimpses  of  Morsinia 
while  loitering  among  the  trees  at  the  upper  end  of  the 
Golden  Horn,  by  the  Sweet  Waters,  where  the  ladies  of 
the  harem  were  taken  by  the  eunuchs  on  almost 

*  The  sluice  which  was  supposed  to  have  been  used  for  this 
purpose  is  still  seen  at  Old  Seraglio  Point. 


344         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

weekly  excursions.  He  had  proposed  to  have  in 
readiness  two  horses,  that,  if  she  should  break  from 
the  attendants,  they  might  flee  together.  But  before 
this  could  be  accomplished,  the  excursions  were  dis- 
continued, as  the  attention  of  all  was  turned  to  a  new 
pleasure. 

The  grand  haremlik  was  at  length  completed. 
Perhaps  no  place  on  earth  was  so  suggestive  of  indo- 
lent and  sensual  pleasure  as  this.  There  were  luxu- 
rious divans,  multiplying  mirrors,  baths  of  tempered 
water,  fountains  in  which  perfumes  could  be  scattered 
with  the  spray,  broad  spaces  for  the  dance,  half  hidden 
alcoves  for  the  indulgence  in  that  which  shamed  the 
more  public  eye,  and  gardens  in  which  Araby  com- 
peted with  Africa  in  the  display  of  exotic  fruits  and 
flowers. 

A  day  was  set  for  the  reception  of  the  grand  harem 
from  Adrianople — which  contained  nearly  a  thousand 
of  the  most  beautiful  women  in  the  world — into  this 
new  paradise.  The  Kislar  Aga  had  arranged  a 
pageant  of  especial  magnificence,  which  could  be  wit- 
nessed by  the  people  at  a  distance.  Two  score 
barges,  elegantly  decorated,  rowed  by  eunuchs,  their 
decks  covered  with  divans,  were  to  receive  the  oda- 
lisks  from  Adrianople  at  the  extreme  inner  point  of 
the  seraglio  water  front  on  the  Golden  Horn.  The 
Valide  Sultana's  barge  was  to  lead  the  procession, 
which  should  float  to  the  cadences  of  music  far  out 
into  the  harbor.  At  the  same  time,  the  Sultan  in  his 
kaik,  and  the  women  of  the  temporary  haremlik,  each 
propelling  a  light  skiff  decorated  with  flags  and 
streamers,  were  to  move  from  the  extreme  outer  point 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         345 

of  the  seraglio  grounds,  until  the  two  fleets  should 
meet,  when,  amid  salvos  of  artillery  from  the  shores, 
the  odalisks  with  the  Sultan  were  to  turn  about  and 
lead  their  sisters  to  the  water  gate  of  the  haremlik. 
Orders  were  given  forbidding  the  people  to  appear 
upon  the  water,  or  upon  the  shores  within  distance 
to  see  distinctly  the  faces  of  the  ladies  of  the  harem. 

Every  evening  at  sundown  a  patrol  of  eunuchs  made 
a  cordon  of  boats  a  few  hundred  yards  from  the 
shore,  within  which,  screened  by  distance  from  the  eyes 
of  common  men,  the  odalisks  went  into  training  for 
the  great  regatta.  The  Padishah,  sitting  in  his  barge, 
encouraged  their  rivalry  by  gifts  for  dexterity  in  man- 
aging the  little  boats,  for  picturesqueness  of  dress  and 
for  grace  of  movement,  as  with  bared  arms  and  stream- 
ing tresses,  they  propelled  the  kaiks. 

Morsinia  found  herself  one  of  the  most  dexterous  in 
handling  the  oars.  The  free  life  of  her  childhood  on 
the  Balkans  and  among  the  peasants  of  upper  Albania, 
had  developed  muscle  which  this  new  exercise  soon 
brought  into  unusual  efficiency.  She  observed  that 
the  attendant  eunuchs  were  deficient  in  this  kind  of 
strength,  and  had  no  doubt  that,  with  her  own  light 
weight,  she  could  drive  the  almost  imponderable  kaik 
swifter  than  any  of  them. 

The  young  Egyptian  woman  was  her  only  compet- 
itor for  the  honor  of  leading  the  fleet  on  the  day  of 
the  regatta.  To  add  to  the  interest  of  the  training, 
Mahomet  ordered  that  the  two  should  race  for  the 
honor  of  being  High  Admiral  of  the  harem  fleet  ;  and 
.one  evening  announced  that  the  competitive  trial 
should  take  place  the  next  afternoon.  The  course 


346          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

was  fixed  for  a  half  mile,  just  inside  of  Seraglio 
Point,  where  the  waters  of  the  harbor  are  still,  unvexed 
by  the  rapid  current  which  pours  along  the  channel 
of  the  Bosphorus.  The  flag-boat  was  to  be  anchored 
almost  at  the  meeting  of  the  inner  and  outer  waters. 

That  night  Morsinia  wrote  a  note  containing  these 
words — 

"  About  dusk  just  below  the  Seven  Towers  watch 
for  kaik.  MORSINIA." 

Kala  Hanoum  was  commissioned  early  the  following 
morning  to  deliver  a  pretty  little  sash,  wrought  with 
stars  and  crescents,  to  Captain  Ballaban.  Morsinia 
was  careful  to  show  Kala  the  scarf,  and  dilate  upon 
the  peculiar  beauty  of  the  work  until  the  woman's 
curiosity  should  be  fully  satisfied ;  thus  making 
sure  that  she  would  not  be  tempted  to  inspect  it  for 
herself.  She  then  wrapped  the  note  carefully  within 
the  scarf,  and  tied  it  strongly  with  a  silken  cord. 

Old  Kala  had  a  busy  day  before  her,  with  a  dozen 
other  commissions  to  discharge.  But  fortune  favored 
her  in  the  early  discovery  of  the  well  known  shape  of 
the  Captain  in  ordinary  citizen's  dress,  as  he  was 
engaged  in  eager  conversation  with  the  Greek  monk, 
Gennadius,  whom  the  Sultan  had  allowed  to  super- 
intend the  worship  of  the  Christians  still  resident  in 
the  city.  Indeed  Mahomet  was  wise  enough  to  even 
pension  some  of  the  Greek  clergy  to  keep  up  the 
establishment  of  their  faith  ;  for  he  feared  to  antago- 
nize the  millions  in  the  provinces  of  Greece  who 
could  not  be  persuaded  to  embrace  Islam  ;  and  was 
content  to  exact  from  them  only  the  recognition  of  his 
secular  supremacy.  Kala  Hanoum  had  too  much  rev- 


THE  CAPTAIN'  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.        347 

erence  in  her  nature  to  interrupt  a  couple  of  such  wor- 
thies ;  so  she  followed  a  little  way  behind  them.  They 
came  to  the  gate-way — a  mere  hole  in  the  wall — which 
led  to  what  was  known  as  theHermit's  Cell,  the  abode 
of  Gennadius  during  the  siege.  The  spiritual  pride 
of  the  monk  had  prevented  his  exchanging  this  for  a 
more  commodious  residence  into  which  the  Sultan 
would  have  put  him.  He  said  he  only  wanted  a  place 
large  enough  to  weep  in,  now  that  the  people  of  the 
Lord  were  in  captivity. 

The  monk  had  entered  the  little  gateway,  and  his 
companion  was  following,  when  Kala's  instinct  for 
business  got  the  better  of  her  reverence  ;  and,  darting 
forward,  she  thrust  the  little  roll  into  his  hand  just  as 
he  was  stooping  to  enter  the  gate,  not  even  glancing  at 
his  face.  She  said  in  low  voice,  not  caring  to  be 
overheard  by  the  monk  : 

"  A  part  of  your  purchase  yesterday,  Sire,  which 
you  have  forgotten." 

She  waited  for  no  reply,  but  trotted  off,  muttering 
to  herself  : 

"  That's  done,  now  for  old  Ibrahim  the  Jew." 

The  contrast  between  Morsinia  and  the  Egyptian  as 
they  presented  themselves  for  the  contest,  afforded  a 
capital  study  in  racial  physique.  The  latter  was  rather 
under  size,  with  scarcely  more  of  womanly  develop- 
ment than  a  boy.  Her  face  was  almost  copper  colored  ; 
her  hair  jet  and  short.  The  former  was  tall,  with  fern- 
ininity  stamped  upon  the  contour  of  bust  and  limb  ; 
her  face  pale,  even  beneath  the  mass  of  her  .light 
locks. 

The  kaiks  were  of  thinnest  wood  that  could  be  held 


348         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

together  by  the  web-like  cross  bracing,  and  seemed 
scarcely  to  break  the  surface  of  the  water  when  the 
odalisks  stepped  into  them.  Morsinia  had  brought  a 
feridje  of  common  sort ;  saying  to  the  eunuch,  whose 
attention  it  attracted,  that  yesterday  she  was  quite 
chilled  after  rowing,  and  to  day  had  taken  this  with 
her  by  way  of  precaution.  She  might  have  found 
something  more  beautiful  had  she  thought  in  time  ; 
but  it  would  be  dark  when  they  returned.  Besides, 
it  would  be  a  capital  brace  for  her  feet ;  the  crossbar 
arranged  for  that  purpose  being  rather  too  far  away 
from  the  seat.  So  saying  she  tossed  it  into  the  bottom 
of  the  kaik  before  the  officious  eunuch  could  provide 
a  better  substitute. 

The  Padishah's  bugle  sounded  the  call.  It  rang 
over  the  waters,  evoking  echoes  from  the  triple  shore 
of  Stamboul,  Galata  and  Skutari,  which  died  away  in 
the  distant  billows  of  Marmora.  As  it  was  to  be  the 
last  evening  before  the  pageant  of  the  grand  reception, 
the  time  was  occupied  in  making  final  arrangements 
for  the  order  in  which  the  boats  should  move  ;  so  that 
it  was  growing  dark  when  the  Padishah  reminded  the 
chief  marshal  that  they  must  have  the  race  for  the 
Admiral's  badge.  Katub,  a  fat  and  indolent  eunuch, 
was  ordered  to  moor  his  kaik,  for  the  stake  boat,  as 
far  out  toward  the  swift  current  as  safety  would 
permit. 

The  two  competitors  darted  to  the  side  of  Mahomet's 
barge.  From  a  long  staff,  just  high  enough  above  the 
water  to  be  reached  by  the  hand,  hung  a  tiny  streamer 
of  silk,  the  broad  field  of  which  was  dotted  with  pearls. 
This  was  to  be  the  possession  of  the  fair  rower  who, 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         349 

rounding  the  stake  boat  first,  could  return  and 
seize  it. 

The  Sultan  threw  a  kiss  to  the  fair  nymphs  as  a 
signal  for  the  start.  Myriads  of  liquid  pearls,  surpass- 
ing in  beauty  those  upon  the  streamer,  dropped  from 
the  oar  blades,  and  strewed  the  smooth  surface  ;  or 
were  transformed  into  diamonds  as  they  sunk  swirl- 
ing into  the  broken  water.  The  spray  rose  from  the 
sharp  prows  in  sheafs,  golden  as  those  of  grain,  in  the 
ruddy  reflection  of  the  western  sky.  Each  graceful 
kaik,  and  the  more  graceful  form  that  moved  it, 
almost  created  the  illusion  of  a  single  creature  ;  some 
happy  denizen  of  another  world  disporting  itself  for 
the  luring  of  mortals  in  this. 

The  boats  kept  close  company.  The  Egyptian  was 
expending  her  full  strength,  but  her  companion,  with 
longer  and  fewer  strokes,  was  apparently  reserving 
hers.  They  neared  the  stake.  The  Egyptian,  having 
the  inside,  began  to  round  it ;  but  the  Albanian  kept 
on,  now  with  rapid  and  strong  strokes.  The  spectators 
were  amazed  at  her  tactics. 

"  She  is  making  too  wide  a  sweep,"  said  the  Sultan, 

"  She  does  not  seem  inclined  to  turn  at  all," 
observed  the  Kislar  Aga. 

"  She  will  strike  the  current  if  she  turn  not  soon," 
rejoined  Mahomet  excitedly. 

The  prow  of  her  kaik  turned  off  westward. 

"  She  is  in  the  stream  !  "  cried  several.  "  She  will  be 
overturned  !  "  But  on  sped  the  kaik,  heading  full 
down  the  current,  which,  catching  it  like  some  friendly 
sprite  from  beneath,  bore  it  quickly  out  of  sight 
around  the  Seraglio  Point ;  and  on — on  into  a  thick  mist 


35°        THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

which  was  rolling  up,  as  if  sent  of  heaven  to  meet  it, 
from  the  broad  expanse  of  the  sea. 

"  An  escape  !  "  cried  the  Sultan.  "  After  her  every 
one  of  you  black  devils  !  " 

The  eunuchs  wasted  several  precious  moments  in 
getting  the  command  through  their  heads,  and,  even 
when  they  started,  it  was  evident  that  their  muscles  were 
too  flaccid,  their  spines  too  limp,  and  their  wind  not 
full  enough  to  overhaul  the  flying  skiff  of  the  Albanian. 

"  To  shore  !  To  horse  !  "  cried  the  raging  mon- 
arch. 

A  quarter  of  an  hour  later,  horsemen  were  clatter- 
ing down  the  stony  street  along  the  water  front  of 
Marmora,  pausing  now  and  then  to  stare  out  into  the 
sea  mist,  dashing  on,  stopping  and  staring,  and  on 
again.  The  foremost  to  reach  the  Castle  of  the  Seven 
Towers  left  orders  to  scour  the  shore,  and  to  set  patrol 
to  prevent  any  one  landing.  Some  were  ordered  to 
dart  across  to  the  islands.  Within  an  hour  from  the 
escape  every  inch  of  shore,  and  the  great  water  course 
opposite  the  city,  were  under  complete  surveillance. 

Just  before  this  was  accomplished  a  man  arrived  at 
the  water's  edge,  close  to  the  south  side  of  the  great 
wall  of  which  the  Castle  of  Seven  Towers  was  the 
northern  flank.  He  held  two  horses,  saddled  and 
bagged,  as  if  for  a  distant  journey.  A  second  man  ap- 
peared a  moment  later,  who  came  up  from  a  clump  of 
bushes  a  little  way  below. 

"  In  good  time,  Marcus  !  "  said  the  new  comer,  who 
stooped  close  to  the  water  and  listened,  putting  his 
hand  to  his  ear  so  as  to  exclude  all  sounds  except 
such  as  should  come  from  the  sea  above. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         351 

"  Listen  !  an  oar  stroke  !  Yes  !  Keep  everything 
tight,  Marcus." 

Darting  into  the  copse,  in  a  moment  more  the  man 
was  gliding  in  a  kaik,  with  a  noiseless  stroke,  out  in 
the  direction  of  the  oar  splash  of  the  approaching 
boat.  Nearer  and  nearer  it  came.  The  night  and 
the  mist  prevented  its  being  seen.  The  man  moved 
close  to  its  line.  It  was  a  light  kaik,  he  knew  from 
the  almost  noiseless  ripple  of  the  water  as  the  sharp 
prow  cut  it.  The  man  gave  a  slight  whistle,  when  the 
stroke  of  the  invisible  boat  ceased,  and  the  ripple  at 
its  prow  died  away. 

"  Morsinia  ! " 

"  Ay,  thank  heaven  !  "  came  the  response. 

"  Speak  not  now,  but  follow  !  "  and  he  led  the  way 
cautiously  toward  the  little  beach  where  the  horses 
were  heard  stamping.  They  were  several  rods  off, 
piloting  themselves  by  the  sound. 

"  Hark  !  "  said  the  man,  stopping  the  boats.  Hoofs 
were  heard  approaching,  and  voices — 

"  She  might  have  put  across  to  the  Princess  Island," 
said  one. 

"  Nonsense  ! "  was  the  reply.  "  She  would  only  im- 
prison herself  by  that — more  likely  she  has  gone  clean 
across  to  Chalcedon.  But  I  hold  that  she  has  played 
fox,  and  turned  on  her  trail.  Ten  liras  to  one  that 
she  is  by  this  time  in  Galata  with  some  of  the  Genoese 
Giaours.  If  so,  she  will  try  to  escape  in  a  galley ;  but 
that  can  be  prevented  :  for  the  Padishah  will  overhaul 
every  craft  that  sails  out  until  he  finds  her.  But 
hoot,  man  !  what  have  we  here  ?  Two  horses !  A 
woman's  baggage !  She  has  an  accomplice  !  An  elope- 


352         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

ment !  The  horses  are  tied.  The  runaway  couple 
haven't  arrived  yet.  Dismount,  men  !  we  will  lie  in 
wait  along  the  shore  here.  Yes,  let  their  two  horses 
stand  there  to  draw  them  to  the  spot  by  their  stamp- 
ing. Send  ours  out  of  hearing.  Now  every  man  to 
his  place  !  Silence  !  " 

"  Back  !  Back  !  We  are  pursued  on  land,"  said  the 
man  in  the  boat  to  Morsinia,  and  both  boats  pushed 
noiselessly  out  again  from  the  shore. 

"  I  had  prepared  for  this,  Morsinia.  You  must 
come  into  my  boat  ;  we  will  row  below  for  a  mile, 
where  we  can  arrange  it  at  the  shore." 

Quietly  they  shot  down  in  the  lessening  current, 
until  they  turned  into  a  little  cove  made  by  a  project- 
ing rock.  As  lightly  as  a  fawn  the  girl  leaped  to  the 
beach.  Her  companion  was  by  her  side  in  an  instant. 
She  drew  back,  and  gave  no  return  to  his  warm  em- 
brace, but  said  heartily  : 

"  Thank  Heaven,  and  you,  Michael  !  " 

"  Michael  ?  "  exclaimed  the  man.  "  Indeed  I  do 
not  wonder  that  you  think  me  a  spirit,  and  call  me  by 
the  name  of  my  dead  brother.  But  this  shall  assure 
you  that  I  am  Constantine,  and  in  the  flesh,"  cried  he, 
as  he  pressed  a  kiss  upon  her  lips. 

Morsinia  was  dazed.  She  tried  to  scan  his  face. 
She  fell  as  one  lifeless  into  his  arms. 

He  seated  himself  on  the  rock  and  held  her  to  his 
heart.  For  a  while  neither  could  speak. 

"  Is  it  real  ? "  said  she  at  length,  raising  her  head 
and  feeling  his  face  with  her  hand.  But  how" 

Voices  were  heard  shouting  over  the  water. 

"  We  must  be  gone,"  said  Constantine. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         353 

The  excitement  of  her  discovery  that  her  lover  was 
still  living,  and  her  bewilderment  at  his  appearance 
instead  of  Michael,  were  too  much  for  Morsinia. 
Constantine  carried  the  exhausted  girl  into  his  boat, 
which  was  larger  than  hers.  Towing  her  little  kaik 
out  some  distance  he  tipped  it  bottom  upwards,  and 
let  it  drift  away. 

"  That  will  stop  the  hounds,"  muttered  he.  "  They 
will  think  you  have  been  overturned." 

With  tremendous,  but  scarcely  audible,  strokes  he 
ploughed  away  westward.  It  was  not  until  far  from 
all  noise  of  the  pursuers  that  he  paused. 


CHAPTER  XLIX. 

IMMINENT  as  was  the  danger  still,  the  curiosity 
1  of  both  at  the  strangeness  of  the  Providence 
which  had  brought  them  back  to  each  other,  as  from 
the  dead,  was  such  that  they  must  talk  ;  and  the 
freshness  of  the  newly-kindled  love  stole  many  a  mo- 
ment for  endearing  embrace.  Indeed  an  hour  passed, 
and  the  night  might  have  flown  while  they  loitered, 
were  it  not  that  the  rising  wind  brought  a  distant 
sound  which  awakened  them  to  the  remembrance  that 
they  were  still  fugitives. 

Constantine  at  length  insisted  that  his  companion 
should  lie  upon  the  bottom  of  the  boat,  and  take 
needed  rest. 

"  If  I  had  now  my  feridj6  !  "  said  she. 
23 


354         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

"  I  have  provided  for  that,"  replied  Constantine. 
"  Yours  would  be  recognized.  I  have  one  belonging 
to  the  common  women,  which  will  be  better."  In 
addition  to  the  feridje,  the  foresight  of  Constantine 
had  laid  in  warm  wraps  and  a  store  of  provisions. 
These  were  packed  in  bundles  that  they  might  be 
carried  conveniently  on  horses,  in  the  hand,  or  in  the 
boat,  as  necessity  should  compel. 

"  I  cannot  rest,"  said  Morsinia,  "  when  there  is  so 
much  to  say  and  hear." 

"  But  you  must  lie  down.     I  will  tell  you  my  story  ; 
then  you  can  tell  me  yours." 
"  But  can  we  not  stop  ? " 
"  No.     It  will  not  be  safe  to  do  so  yet." 
"  I  have  learned  to  trust  your  guidance  as  well  as 
your  love,"  said  she,  and  reclined  in  the  stern  of  the 
boat. 

The  moon  rose  near  to  midnight.  The  fog  illu- 
mined by  it  made  them  clearly  visible  to  each  other, 
while  it  shut  out  the  possibility  of  their  being  seen  by 
any  from  a  distance. 

"  It  is  the  blessing  of  Jesu  upon  us,"  said  Morsinia. 
"  The  same  as  when  He  stood  upon  the  little  lake  in 
Galilee,  like  a  form  of  light,  and  said,  '  Be  not 
afraid.'  " 

Constantine  gave  his  story  in  hasty  sentences  and 
detached  portions,  breaking  it  by  pauses  in  which  he 
listened  for  pursuers,  or  gave  his  whole  strength  to  the 
oars,  or,  more  frequently,  did  nothing  but  gaze  at  his 
companion  :  more  than  once  reaching  out  his  hand  to 
touch  her,  and  see  if  she  were  not  an  apparition. 
He  told  of  his  escape  from  the  Turks,  his  arrest  as 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         355 

a  lunatic  and  the  scene  before  the  Sultan,  his  return 
to  Constantinople  after  its  capture,  and  the  apparent 
evidence  he  there  had  from  the  old  beggar,  of  Mor~ 
sinia's  death  :  with  all  of  which  the  reader  is  familiar. 
He  also  related  how  he  had  gone  to  Albania.  The 
report  of  Morsinia's  death  had  caused  the  greatest 
grief  to  Kabilovitsch,  and  thrown  General  Castriot 
into  such  a  rage  that  he  found  easement  for  it  in  a 
special  raid  upon  the  Turkish  camp  ;  which  raid  was 
remembered,  and  was  still  spoken  of  by  the  soldiers,  as 
the  "Call  of  the  Maiden."  For  as  Castriot  returned 
from  fearful  slaughter,  in  which  he  had  completely 
riddled  the  enemy's  quarters,  captured  their  com- 
mander and  compelled  them  to  break  up  the  campaign, 
the  general  was  overheard  to  say,  "  The  maiden's 
spirit  called  us  and  we  have  answered."  Without  know- 
ing the  meaning  of  these  words  the  soldiers  probably 
assumed  that  they  were  a  reference  to  the  Holy  Virgin 
Mary,  whose  blessing  Castriot  had  invoked  upon  the 
enterprise.  After  that  Sultan  Mahomet  sent  a  special 
embassage  and  proposal  of  peace  to  Albania.  In  the 
royal  letter  he  stated, 

"  She  whom  the  Emperor  of  the  Greeks  was  unable 
to  keep  for  Scanderbeg  is  now  in  the  custody  of  the 
royal  harem,  safe  and  inviolate  ;  to  be  delivered  into 
Scanderbeg's  hand  as  a  pledge  of  a  treaty  by  which 
Scanderbeg  shall  agree  to  cease  from  further  depreda- 
tions and  invasion  of  Macedonia,  and  to  submit  to 
hold  his  kingdom  in  fief  to  the  Ottoman  throne." 

The  letter  ended  with  a  boastful  reference  to  the 
Sultan's  conquest  of  Constantinople,  Caramania  and 
other  countries,  and  the  threat  of  invading  Albania 


3  5  6         THE  CA  P  TA  IN  OF  THE  JA  NIZA  RIES. 

with  a  host  so  great  as  to  cover  all  its  territory  with 
the  shadow  of  the  camps. 

Castriot's  reply,  when  known,  filled  the  Dibrians  and 
Epirots  with  greatest  enthusiasm.  It  closed  with  the 
words, — 

"  What  if  you  have  subjugated  Greece,  and  put  into 
servitude  them  of  Asia  !  These  are  no  examples  for 
the  free  hearts  of  Albania  !  "  * 

The  news  contained  in  Mahomet's  missive  led  Cas- 
triot  to  allow  Constantine  to  go  to  Constantinople,  that 
he  might  discover,  if  possible,  whether  Morsinia  was 
really  living,  and  was  the  person  referred  to  by  the 
Sultan.  On  reaching  the  city,  Constantine  had  sought 
out  the  monk  Gennadius,  with  whom  he  had  been 
often  thrown  before  and  during  the  siege.  From  him 
he  learned  nothing  of  Morsinia  except  the  old  story 
of  her  self-sacrifice  by  the  side  of  the  altar  ; — which 
story  had  become  so  adorned  with  many  additions  in 
passing  from  mouth  to  mouth,  that  the  "  Fair  Saint  of 
Albania  "  was  likely  to  be  enrolled  upon  the  calendar 
of  the  holy  martyrs.  Constantine  was  returning  with 
the  monk  from  the  church  of  Baloukli,  where  they  had 
gone  to  see  the  perpetuated  miracle  of  the  fishes  which 
leaped  from  the  pan  on  hearing  of  the  capture  of  the 
city,  and  which  are  still,  with  one  side  black  with  the 
frying,  swimming  in  the  tank  of  holy  water.  He  had 
just  reached  the  little  gate  of  the  monk's  lodging 
when  Morsinia's  message  was  put  into  his  hand  by  a 
little  old  woman. 

"  But  how  did  you  know  of  my  arrival  in  Constanti- 

*  According  to  Knowles,  this  was  a  part  of  Scanderbeg's  reply 
to  Amurath  II. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          357 

nople  ? "  Constantine  asked,  as  he  concluded  his 
account. 

The  question  led  to  Morsinia's  story,  and  the 
revelation  that  his  brother  Michael  was  still  living,  an 
officer  of  the  Sultan,  as  like  to  Constantine  as  one 
eye  to  the  other  ;  their  mistaken  identity  by  Kala 
Hanoum  having  led  to  the  present  happy  denoue- 
ment. The  mutual  narratives  of  the  past  grew  into 
plans  for  the  future,  the  chief  part  of  which  related  to 
the  restoration  of  Michael  from  the  service  of  the 
Moslem. 

While  they  talked,  the  day  broke  over  the  Asiatic 
coast.  The  faint  glow  of  light  rapidly  changed  into 
bars  of  gold,  which  were  transformed  into  those  of 
silver,  and  melted  again  into  a  broad  sheen  of  orange 
and  purple  tints.  But  for  the  shadowed  slopes  of  the 
eastern  shore  that  lay  between  the  water  and  the  sky, 
this  would  have  made  Marmora  like  an  infinite  sea  of 
glory. 

But  there  was  a  fairer  sight  before  the  eyes  of  Con- 
stantine ;  one  more  suggestive  of  the  heavenly.  It 
was  the  face  of  his  beloved,  now  first  clearly  seen. 
It  seemed  to  him  that  she  could  not  have  been  more 
enchanting  if  he  had  discovered  her  by  the  "  River  of 
the  Water  of  Life  "  in  the  Golden  City,  where  only 
he  had  hoped  ever  again  to  gaze  upon  her. 


358         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 


CHAPTER  L. 

THE  fugitives  landed  a  good  score  of  miles  from 
Stamboul,  on  the  northern  shore  of  Marmora, 
and  struck  the  highway  which  runs  westward,  follow- 
ing the  coast  line  to  Salonika,  where  it  divides,  bend- 
ing south  into  Greece,  and  branching  north  through 
Macedonia.  The  fugitives  followed  the  latter  high- 
way. The  country  through  which  they  passed  was 
at  the  time  conquered  by  the  Moslem,  but  was  dotted 
over  with  the  settlements  of  the  adherents  to  the  old 
faith,  who  kept  the  watchfires  of  hope  still  burning  in 
their  hearts,  though  they  were  extinguished  on  the 
mountains.  It  was  by  this  route  that  Constantine  had 
gone  to  Stamboul.  He  was  therefore  familiar,  not 
only  with  the  way,  but  with  the  people  ;  and  easily 
secured  from  them  concealment  when  necessary,  and 
help  along  the  journey.  His  belt  had  been  well  filled 
with  gold  by  Castriot,  so  that  two  fleet  horses  and  all 
provisions  were  readily  supplied. 

Their  journey  was  saddened  by  their  solicitude  for 
the  fate  of  Albania.  Before  Constantine  had  left  that 
country,  Moses  Goleme,  wearied  with  the  incessant 
sacrifices  he  was  compelled  to  make,  and  discouraged 
by  what  he  deemed  the  impossibility  of  longer  holding 
out  against  the  Turks,  had  quarreled  with  Castriot, 
and  thrown  off  his  allegiance.  He  had  even  been 
induced  by  Mahomet's  pledge  of  liberty  to  Albania — 
if  only  Castriot  were  overthrown — to  enter  the  service 
of  the  enemy.  The  wily  Sultan  had  placed  him  in 
command  of  an  invading  army,  with  which,  however, 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         359 

he  had  returned  to  his  country  only  to  meet  an  over- 
whelming defeat  at  the  hands  of  the  great  captain, 
and  to  flee  in  disgrace  to  Constantinople. 

This  swift  vengeance  administered  by  the  patriots 
did  not  entirely  crush  the  dissatisfaction  among  the 
people.  Their  fields  were  wasted  by  the  long  war  ; 
for  half  a  generation  had  passed  since  it  began.  Only 
the  personal  magnetism  of  their  chief  held  the  factions 
to  their  doubtful  loyalty. 

After  several  weeks'  journeying,  our  fugitives 
reached  the  camp  of  Castriot.  It  little  resembled  the 
gorgeous  canvas  cities  of  the  Turks  they  had  passed. 
The  overspreading  trees  were,  in  many  instances,  the 
only  shelter  of  voivodes  and  princely  leaders,  the 
story  of  whose  exploits  floated  as  an  enchantment  to 
the  lovers  of  the  heroic  in  all  lands. 

But  the  simple  welcome  they  received  from  the 
true  hearts  of  their  countrymen  was  more  to  Morsinia 
and  Constantine  than  any  stately  reception  could 
have  been.  Kabilovitsch's  joy  was  boundless.  The 
venerable  man  had  greatly  failed,  worn  by  out- 
ward toil,  and  more  by  his  inward  grief.  Castriot  had 
grown  prematurely  old.  His  hair  was  whitened  ;  his 
eyes  more  deeply  sunken  beneath  the  massive  brows  ; 
his  shoulders  a  little  bowed.  Yet  there  was  no  sign 
of  decrepitude  in  face  or  limb.  His  aspect  was 
sterner,  and  even  stronger,  as  if  knit  with  the  iron 
threads  of  desperation. 

As  Kabilovitsch,  whom  the  wanderers  had  first 
sought  upon  their  arrival,  led  them  to  Castriot,  the 
general  gazed  upon  them  silently  for  a  little.  YearSj 
with  their  strange  memories,  seemed  to  flit,  one  after 


360         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

another,  across  his  scarred  face.  Taking  Morsinia's 
hands  in  his,  he  stood  looking  down  into  her  blue 
eyes,  just  as  he  had  done  when  years  ago,  he  bade  her 
farewell.  Then  he  kissed  her  forehead  as  he  said  : 

"  Thank  heaven  !  there  is  not  yet  a  wrinkle  on  that 
fair  brow.  But  I  wronged  you,  my  child,  in  sending 
you  among  strangers.  Can  you  forgive  the  blunder 
of  my  judgment?  It  was  my  heart  that  led  me 
wrong." 

"  I  have  nothing  to  forgive  thee,"  replied  Morsinia. 
"  Though  I  have  suffered,  to  gaze  again  into  thy  face, 
Sire,  takes  away  even  the  memory  of  it  all.  I  shall  be 
fully  blessed  if  now  I  can  remove  some  of  those  care 
marks  from  thy  brow." 

"  Your  return  takes  away  from  me  twice  as  many 
years  as  those  you  have  been  absent,  and  I  shall  be 
young  again  now — as  young  almost  as  Kabilovitsch," 
added  he,  with  a  kindly  glance  at  the  old  veteran, 
whose  battered  dignity  had  given  place  to  an  almost 
childish  delight. 

The  scene  within  the  tent  was  interrupted  by  a 
noise  without.  A  crowd  of  soldiers  had  gathered, 
and  were  gazing  from  a  respectful  distance  at  a 
strange-looking  man  :  "  A  man  of  heaviness  and  eaten 
up  with  cares."  He  was  clad  in  the  coarsest  gar- 
ments ;  his  beard  untrimmed  ;  hatless  ;  a  rope  about 
his  neck.  As  Scanderbeg  came  out  of  the  tent,  the 
man  threw  himself  at  his  feet,  and  cried,  as  he  bowed 
his  head  upon  the  ground  : 

"  Strike,  Sire  !  I  have  sold  my  country.  I  have 
returned  to  die  under  the  sword  of  my  true  chief, 
rather  than  live  with  the  blessing  of  his  enemies.  The 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         361 

curse  on  my  soul  is  greater  than  I  could  bear,  with  all 
the  splendid  rewards  of  my  treason.  Take  out  the 
curse  with  my  blood  !  Strike,  Sire  !  Strike  !  " 

He  was  Moses  Goleme.  Castriot  stood  with  folded 
arms  and  looked  upon  the  prostrate  man.  His  lips 
trembled,  and  then  were  swollen,  as  was  noted  of  them 
when  his  soul  was  fired  with  the  battle  rage.  Then 
every  muscle  of  his  face  quivered  as  if  touched  by 
some  sharp  pain.  Then  came  a  look  of  sorrow  and 
pity.  His  broad  bosom  heaved  with  the  deep-drawn 
breath  as  he  spoke. 

"  Moses  Goleme,  rise  !  Your  place  is  at  no  man's 
feet.  For  twenty  years  you  watched  by  Albania,  while 
I  forgot  my  fatherland.  Your  name  has  been  the  ral- 
lying cry  of  the  patriot ;  your  words  the  wisdom  of 
our  council ;  your  arm  my  strength.  Brave  man  ! 
take  Castriot's  sword,  and  wear  it  again  until  your  own 
heart  tells  you  that  your  honor  has  been  redeemed. 
Rise  !  " 

Untying  the  rope  from  the  miserable  man's  neck,  he 
flung  it  far  off,  and  cried, — 

"  So,  away  with  whatever  disgraces  the  noble 
Goleme  !  My  curse  on  him  who  taunts  thee  for  the 
past !  Let  that  be  as  a  hideous  dream  to  be  forgotten. 
For  well  I  know,  brave  comrade,  that  thy  heart  slept 
when  thou  wast  away.  But  it  wakes  again.  Thou  art 
thy  true  self  once  more  !  " 

The  broken-hearted  man  replied,  scarcely  raising  his 
eyes  as  he  spoke  : 

"  My  hands  are  not  worthy  to  touch  the  sword  of 
Castriot.  Let  me  cleanse  them  with  patriot  service. 
Tell  me,  Sire,  some  desperate  adventure,  where,  since 


362        THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

thou  wilt  not  slay  me,  I  may  give  my  wretched  life 
for  my  country." 

"  No,  Moses,  you  shall  keep  your  life  for  Albania. 
I  know  well  the  strength  of  your  temptation.  My 
service  is  too  much  for  any  man.  Were  it  not  that  I 
am  sustained  by  some  strange  invisible  spirit,  I  too 
would  have  yielded  long  ago.  But  enough  !  The  old 
command  awaits  thee,  Moses." 

The  man  looked  upon  Castriot  with  grateful  amaze- 
ment. But  he  could  not  speak,  and  turned  away. 

At  first  he  was  received  sullenly  by  the  soldiers  ; 
but  when  the  story  of  Castriot's  magnanimity  was 
repeated,  the  camps  rang  with  the  cry,  "  Welcome, 
Goleme  !  "  That  his  restoration  might  be  honored,  a 
grand  raid  through  the  Turkish  lines  was  arranged 
for  the  next  night.  The  watch  cry  was,  "  By  the  beard 
of  Moses  !  "  and  many  a  veteran  then  wielded  his 
sword  with  a  courage  and  strength  he  had  not  felt  for 
years.  Even  old  Kabilovitsch,  whose  failing  vigor  had 
long  excused  him  from  such  expeditions,  insisted  upon 
joining  in  this.  Constantine  then  rewhetted  his  steel 
for  valiant  deeds  to  come.  And,  as  the  day  after  the 
fight  dawned,  Moses  Goleme  led  back  the  band  of  vic- 
tors, laden  with  spoil.  As  he  appeared,  to  make  his 
report  to  the  chief,  his  face  was  flushed  with  the  old 
look  ;  and,  grasping  the  hand  of  Castriot,  he  raised 
it  to  his  lips  and  simply  said  : 

"  I  thank  thee,  Sire  !  "  and  retired. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.        363 

CHAPTER  LI. 

OAPTAIN  BALLABAN  was  among  the  first  to  learn 
\j  of  the  personality  of  the  odalisk  who  had  escaped 
at  the  time  of  the  race.  His  first  thought  was  to  aid  her 
in  eluding  pursuit,  presuming  that  she  had  gone  alone 
and  without  accomplice.  But  when  the  horses  were 
discovered  at  the  Seven  Towers,  he  gave  way  to  a  fit 
of  jealousy.  In  his  mind  he  accused  Morsinia  of  hav- 
ing made  him  her  dupe  ;  for,  notwithstanding  his 
assurances  of  aid,  she  had  evidently  made  a  confidant 
of  another.  His  better  disposition,  however,  soon  led 
him  to  believe  that  she  had  been  spirited  away  through 
some  plan  devised  in  the  brain  of  Scanderbeg.  While 
he  rejoiced  for  her,  he  was  disconsolate  for  himself ; 
and  determined  that,  upon  his  return  to  the  war  in 
Albania,  to  which  field  he  knew  it  was  the  purpose  of 
the  Padishah  to  transfer  him,  he  would  discover  the 
truth  regarding  her.  He  had  learned  from  her  secret 
missives,  which  Kala  Hanoum  had  brought  him  before 
the  flight,  of  the  death  of  his  father  Milosch  and  his 
mother  Helena,  and  the  supposed  death  of  his  brother 
Constantine.  There  were,  then,  no  ties  of  kinship, 
and  but  this  one  tie  of  affection  to  Morsinia,  to  divide 
his  allegiance  to  the  Padishah.  And  Morsinia  had 
faded  again  from  reality,  if  not  into  his  mere  dream,  at 
least  into  the  vaguest  hope.  His  ardent  soul  found 
relief  only  by  plunging  into  the  excitement  of  the 
military  service. 

Mahomet  had  not  exhausted  his  favors  to  Ballaban 
by  the  gift  of  the  Albanian  Venus,  Elissa.    Summoning 


364          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

him  one  day  he  repeated  his  purpose  of  designating 
him  as  the  chief  Aga  of  the  Janizaries,  the  old  chief 
having  been  slain  in  a  recent  engagement.  Ballaban 
remonstrated,  as  once  before,  against  this  interference 
with  the  order  of  the  corps,  in  which  the  choice  of 
chief  Aga  was  left  to  the  vote  of  the  soldiers  them- 
selves. 

Mahomet  replied  angrily — "  I  tell  you,  Ballaban, 
my  will  shall  now  be  supreme  over  every  branch  of  my 
service.  My  fathers  felt  the  independence  of  the  Jan- 
izaries to  be  a  menace  to  their  thrones.  Their  power 
shall  be  curbed  to  my  hand,  or  the  whole  order  shall 
be  abolished." 

"  Beware  !  "  replied  Ballaban.  "  You  know  not  the 
alertness  of  the  lion  whose  lair  you  would  invade.  I 
will  serve  my  Padishah  with  my  life  in  all  other  ways, 
but  my  vows  forbid  my  treachery  to  my  corps.  Strike 
off  my  head,  if  you  will,  but  I  cannot  be  Aga,  except 
by  the  sovereign  consent  of  my  brothers." 

"  I  shall  not  take  off  your  head,  comrade,"  replied 
Mahomet.  "  I  need  what  is  in  it  too  much,  though  it 
belongs  to  a  young  rebel.  But  begone  !  I  shall  work 
my  plans  without  asking  your  advice  in  the  matter." 

A  firman  was  issued  by  which  the  Padishah  claimed 
the  supreme  power  of  appointing  to  command  in  all 
grades  of  the  military  service.  Within  an  hour  after 
its  proclamation,  the  Janizaries  were  in  open  defiance 
of  the  sovereign.  Before  their  movements  could  be 
anticipated,  the  great  court  in  front  of  the  selamlik  in 
the  seraglio  was  filled  with  the  enraged  soldiery.  That 
sign  of  terror  which  had  blanched  the  faces  of  former 
Padishahs — the  inverted  soup-kettle — was  planted 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.        365 

before  the  very  doors  of  the  palace,  and  the  Sultan 
was  a  prisoner  within. 

"  Recall  the  firman  !  Long  live  the  Yeni-Tscheri !  " 
rang  among  the  seraglio  walls,  and  was  echoed  over 
the  city. 

The  Sultan  not  appearing,  there  rose  another  cry, 
at  first  only  a  murmur,  but  at  length  pouring  from 
thousands  of  hoarse  throats, — 

"  Down  with  Mahomet !  Live  the  Yeni-Tscheri ! " 

Still  the  Sultan  made  no  response.  There  was  a 
hurried  consultation  among  the  leaders  of  the  insur- 
gents. Then  a  rapid  movement  throughout  the  crowd. 
For  a  moment  it  seemed  as  if  they  had  turned  every 
man  against  his  fellow.  But  Mahomet's  experienced 
eye,  as  he  watched  from  the  latticed  window,  saw  that 
the  swarm  of  men  was  only  taking  shape.  The  mob 
was  transformed  into  companies.  Between  the  ranks 
passed  men,  as  if  they  rose  out  of  the  ground  ;  some 
dragging  cannon  ;  some  bearing  scaling  ladders. 

Mahomet  appeared  upon  the  platform,  dressed  in 
full  armor.  He  raised  his  sword,  when  silence  fell 
upon  the  multitude. 

"  I  am  your  Padishah." 

"  Long  live  Mahomet  !  "  was  the  cry. 

"  Do  I  not  command  every  faithful  Ottoman  ?  Who 
will  follow  where  Mahomet  leads  ?  " 

"  All  !  all !  "  rang  the  response. 

"  Then  reverse  the  kettle  !  "  commanded  he,  his  face 
lit  with  the  assumption  of  victory. 

"  Reverse  the  firman  !"  was  the  answer. 

"  Never  !  "  cried  the  monarch,  infuriated  with  this 
unexpected  challenge  of  his  authority. 


366          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

The  Janizaries  retreated  a  few  steps  from  the 
platform.  The  Padishah  assumed  that  they  were  awed 
by  his  determination,  and  smiled  in  his  triumph.  But 
his  face  was  as  quickly  shaded  with  astonishment ;  for 
the  movement  of  the  insurgents  was  only  to  allow  the 
cannon  to  be  advanced. 

The  sagacity  of  the  monarch  never  forsook  him. 
Not  even  the  wildness  of  passion  could  long  lead  him 
beyond  the  suggestion  of  policy.  Raising  his  hand 
for  silence,  he  again  spoke. 

"  We  are  misunderstanding  each  other,  my  brave 
Yeni-Tscheri.  If  you  have  grievance  let  your  Agas 
present  it,  for  the  Padishah  shall  be  the  father  of  his 
people,  and  the  Yeni-Tscheri  are  the  eldest  born  of  his 
children." 

The  Sultan  withdrew.  Eight  Agas  held  a  hurried 
consultation,  and  presented  themselves  to  the  sover- 
eign to  offer  him  absolute  and  unquestioning  obe- 
dience upon  the  condition  of  their  retaining  as  ab- 
solute and  unquestioned  self-government  within  the 
corps. 

While  they  were  in  consultation,  Captain  Ballaban 
appeared  among  the  troops.  He  waved  his  hand  to 
address  them. 

"  He  is  bought  by  the  Padishah.  We  must  not  hear 
him,"  cried  one  and  another. 

"  My  brothers  !  "  said  the  Captain,  having  after  a 
few  moments  gained  their  attention.  "I  love  the 
Padishah.  But  I  adore  that  royal  hand  chiefly  because, 
beyond  that  of  any  of  the  heirs  of  Othman,  it  has 
already  bestowed  favor  upon  our  corps.  But  our 
order  is  sacred.  He  may  command  to  the  field,  and 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.        367 

in  the  field,  but  it  must  be  from  without.  We  must 
choose  our  own  Aga  as  of  old." 

"  Long  live  Ballaban  !  "  rose  from  every  side. 

The  speaker  broke  into  a  rhapsodic  narration  of 
the  glories  of  the  corps,  interwoven  with  the  recital 
of  the  exploits  of  the  Padishah,  during  which  he  was 
interrupted  by  cheer  after  cheer,  mingled  with  the  cry 
of  "  Ballaban  !  Ballaban  forever  !  " 

The  Sultan,  hearing  the  shout,  shrewdly  seized  upon 
the  opportunity  it  suggested,  and  leaving  the  Agas, 
rushed  to  the  platform.  He  shouted — 

"  Allah  be  praised  !  Allah  has  given  one  mind  to 
the  Padishah  and  to  his  faithful  Yeni-Tscheri.  Balla- 
ban forever  !  Yes,  take  him  !  Take  him  for  your 
Aga  !  The  will  of  the  corps  and  the  will  of  the  sover- 
eign are  one,  for  it  is  the  will  of  Allah  that  sways 
us  all  !  " 

The  soldiers,  caught  by  the  enthusiasm  of  the 
instant,  repeated  the  shout,  drowning  the  voices  of  the 
few  who  were  clear-headed  enough  to  remember  that 
the  firman  had  not  been  withdrawn. 

"  Ballaban  !  Long  live  Ballaban  Aga  !  Long  live 
Mahomet  Padishah  !  " 

The  Agas  appeared,  but  were  impotent  to  assert 
their  dissent.  As  well  might  they  have  attempted  to 
howl  down  a  hurricane  as  to  make  themselves  heard  in 
the  confusion.  Indeed,  their  presence  upon  the  plat- 
form was  regarded  by  the  corps  as  their  endorsement 
of  the  Padishah's  desire,  and  served  to  stimulate  the 
enthusiasm  that  broke  out  in  redoubled  applause. 

Mahomet  followed  up  his  advantage,  and  formally 
confirmed  the  apparent  election  by  announcing — 


368          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

"  A  donative  !  A  double  pay  to  every  one  of  the 
Yeni-Tscheri  !  and  the  Padishah's  fifth  of  the  spoil 
shall  be  divided  to  the  host  !  " 

The  multitude  were  wild  with  delight.  The  inverted 
soup-kettle  was  turned  over,  and  swung  by  its  handle 
from  the  top  of  the  staff  ;  following  which,  the  crowd 
poured  out  from  the  court.* 

Within  a  few  days  Ballaban,  as  chief  Aga,  led  his 
corps  toward  Albania. 


CHAPTER  LII. 

A  FTER  the  defeat  of  Moses  as  a  Turkish  leader, 
£\  and  his  return  to  his  patriotic  allegiance,  there 
was  a  lull  in  active  hostilities  between  the  two  powers. 
Amesa,  like  other  of  the  prominent  voivodes  in  Scan- 
derbeg's  army,  took  the  occasion  offered  to  look  after 
his  own  estates.  He  had  added  somewhat  to  his  local 
importance  by  marrying  the  daughter  of  a  neighboring 
land-owner.  But  neither  conjugal  delights,  nor  the 
additional  acres  his  marriage  brought  him,  covered  his 
ambition.  His  envy  of  Castriot  had  deepened  into 
inveterate  hatred. 

The  Voivode  sat  alone  in  the  great  dining  hall  of 
his  castle.  It  was  late  in  the  night.  As  the  blazing 
iogs  at  one  end  of  the  room  cast  alternately  their 
glare  and  shadows  around,  the  rude  furniture  seemed 

*  The  firman  of  Sultan  Mahomet  was  never  revoked,  and  from 
his  time  until  the  extinction  of  the  order  of  Janizaries  by  Sultan 
Mahmoud,  in  1834,  the  Padishah  always  appointed  the  Chief  Aga. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.        369 

to  be  thrown  into  a  witching  dance.  Helmets  and 
corselets  gleamed  bravely  from  their  pegs,  suggesting 
that  they  were  animated  by  heroic  souls.  The  great 
bear-skin,  with  its  enormous  head,  lying  at  the 
Voivode's  feet,  crouched  in  readiness  to  receive  the 
lunge  of  the  boar's  tusks  which  threatened  it  from  the 
corner.  Pikes,  spears,  bows  and  broad-mouthed 
arquebuses  were  ranged  about,  as  if  to  defend  their 
owner,  should  any  demon  inspire  these  lifeless  forms 
for  sudden  assault  upon  him. 

Amesa  had  been  sitting  upon  a  low  seat  between  the 
fire  and  a  half-drained  tankard  of  home-brewed  liquor, 
his  brows  knit  with  the  concentration  of  his  thoughts. 

A  slight  sound  without  arrested  his  attention. 

"  Drakul  is  late,  but  is  coming  at  last.  If  only  he 
has  brought  me  the  red  forelock  of  that  fellow  who 
used  to  be  always  crossing  my  track,  and  has  now 
come  back  to  Albania  !"  he  said,  in  a  tone  of  musing, 
but  intended  to  be  heard  by  the  delinquent  as  the 
great  oaken  door  creaked  behind  him.  Raising  his 
eyes,  but  not  turning  his  head  to  look,  Amesa  changed 
his  soliloquy  into  a  volley  of  oaths  at  the  comer. 

"  I  thought  your  name-sake,  Drakul,  had  run  off 
with  you,  you  lazy  imp.*  What  kept  you  ? " 

"  A  long  journey,"  was  the  reply. 

Amesa  started  to  his  feet,  for  the  voice  was  not  that 
of  Drakul.  He  faced  one  whose  appearance  was  not 
the  less  startling  because  it  was  familiar. 

"  I  have  brought  the  red  forelock  myself,"  said  the 
visitor. 

*  The  word  Drakul  signifies  in  Servian  ' '  the  Devil. " 
24 


370          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

Amesa  stared  stupidly  an  instant,  then  reached 
toward  his  weapon  lying  upon  the  table  near. 

"  Stop  !  "  said  the  man,  laying  the  flat  side  of  his 
sword  across  the  Voivode's  arm  before  he  could  grasp 
his  yataghan. 

"  How  dare  you  intrude  yourself  unbidden  here  !  " 
cried  the  enraged  Amesa. 

"  It  required  no  daring,"  was  the  cool  reply,  "  for  I 
am  the  stronger." 

"  Help  !  Help  !  "  shouted  the  voivode,  as  he  real- 
ized that  he  would  not  be  permitted  to  reach  his 
weapon. 

The  door  swung,  and  a  band  of  strange  men  stood 
in  the  opening. 

"  I  feared,  noble  Amesa,"  said  the  intruder,  "  that  I 
should  not  be  a  welcome  guest,  and  so  brought  with 
me  a  party  of  friends  to  help  me  to  good  cheer  while 
under  your  roof.  You  need  not  disturb  your  servants 
to  help  you,  for,  if  they  should  hear,  they  could  not 
obey,  as  they  are  all  safely  guarded  in  their  quarters. 
If  they  should  come  out  they  might  be  harmed.  Let 
them  rest.  Retire,  men  !  You  recognize  me,  Lord 
Amesa  ? " 

"  Ay.  You  are  Arnaud's  whelp,"  sneered  the 
entrapped  man. 

"  More  gentle  words  would  befit  the  courtesy  of  my 
host,"  was  the  quiet  reply.  "  But  you  are  as  much 
mistaken  as  when  you  took  the  simple  witted  Elissa  on 
my  commendation.  Do  not  respond,  Sire  !  In  your 
heat  you  might  say  that  which  pride  would  prevent 
your  recalling.  I  am  a  Moslem  soldier,  and  you  are 
my  prisoner  ;  as  secure  as  if  you  were  in  Constant!- 


THE  CA  P  TA  IN  OF  THE  JA  NIZA  RIES.        371 

nople."  The  visitor  threw  off  the  Albanian  cape,  and 
revealed  the  elegantly  wrought  jacket  of  the  Janizary 
Aga. 

"  And  what  would  you  have  of  me  ?  Is  there  noth- 
ing that  can  satisfy  you  less  than  my  life  ? "  asked 
Amesa. 

"  My  noble  Amesa,"  said  Ballaban  Aga,  taking  a 
seat  and  motioning  the  Voivode  to  another.  "  Years 
ago  I  gave  you  my  word  in  honor  that  I  would  serve 
you  against  Scanderbeg.  I  have  come  to  redeem  that 
pledge,  and  you  must  help  me." 

"  How  can  that  be,  if  you  are  an  officer  of  the 
Moslems  ? "  asked  Amesa,  taking  the  seat,  and  adopt- 
ing the  low  tone  of  the  other  ;  for  these  words  had 
excited  in  him  all  his  cupidity,  and  stirred  his  natural 
secretiveness  and  habit  of  sinister  dealing.  His  eyes 
ceased  to  glare  like  a  tiger's  when  at  bay  ;  they  shone 
now  like  a  snake's. 

"Amesa  must  enter  the  service  of  the  Padishah." 

"  Impossible  !  "  cried  he  ;  but  in  a  tone  that  indi- 
cated, not  indignant  rejection  of  the  proposition  ; 
rather  doubt  of  its  practicability. 

"  But  first  you  must  raise  here  in  Albania  the 
standard  of  revolt  against  Scanderbeg,  claiming  the 
title  of  king  of  Epirus  and  the  Dibrias  for  yourself. 
Scanderbeg's  sword  will,  of  course,  compel  the  next 
step — your  safety  in  the  Turkish  camp.  The  Padishah 
will  then  become  your  patron,  offering  to  withdraw 
his  armies  and  restore  the  ancient  liberties  of  the 
country,  with  the  solitary  limitation  that  you  shall 
acknowledge  the  suzerainty  of  the  Sultan.  The 
revenues  you  may  collect  shall  remain  in  your  posses- 


373          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

sion  for  the  strengthening  of  your  local  power.  The 
defection  of  Moses  Goleme  well  nigh  destroyed  the 
leadership  of  Scanderbeg — yours  will  complete  the 
work.  Yet  it  will  not  be  defection  ;  rather,  as  Moses 
Goleme  regarded  it,  the  truest  service  of  your  country, 
because  the  only  service  that  is  practicable." 

"  But  I  cannot  thus  break  with  the  patriot  leaders," 
said  Amesa,  apparently  having  felt  a  real  touch  of  honor. 

"  It  must  be,"  replied  the  Aga.  "  You  cannot 
longer  remain  as  you  are,  even  if  you  would.  You, 
Sire,  have  been  guilty  of  some  great  crime.  Nay,  do 
not  deny  it  !  Nor  need  you  take  time  to  give  expres- 
sion to  any  wrath  you  may  feel  on  being  plainly 
accused  of  it,"  continued  Ballaban,  silencing  Amesa 
more  effectively  by  the  straight  look  into  his  eyes  than 
by  his  words.  "  My  moments  here  are  too  few  to  talk 
about  the  matter,  and  you  should  have  exhausted  any 
feeling  you  may  have  had  in  private  penitence  hereto- 
fore, rather  than  reserve  it  until  another  person  lays  it 
to  your  charge.  But  the  point  is  this  : — Scanderbeg  is 
aware  of  your  crime,  and  awaits  only  the  opportune 
moment  to  punish  you  as  it  deserves." 

"  How  do  you  know  that  ? "  said  Amesa,  the  bright 
gleam  of  his  eye  changing  to  a  stony  stare,  as  the 
color  failed  from  his  face,  and  he  leaned  back  in 
ghastly  consternation. 

"  It  is  enough  that  I  know  it.  The  Janizaries  have 
not  roamed  these  Albanian  hills  for  twelve  years  with- 
out finding  out  the  secrets  of  the  country.  The  holes 
in  the  ground  are  our  ears,  and  the  very  owls  spy  for 
us  through  the  dark.  But  enough  of  words.  Sign 
this,  and  set  to  it  your  seal  !  " 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.       373 

Ballaban  presented  a  parchment,  offering  formally, 
in  the  name  of  the  Sultan,  the  government  of  Albania 
to  Amesa,  on  the  condition  set  forth  above. 

"  I  would  consider  the  " — began  Amesa  ;  but  he 
was  cut  short  by  Ballaban — 

"  No  !  sign  instantly  !  I  have  done  for  you  all  the 
considering  that  is  necessary,  and  must  be  gone." 

"  But,"  began  Amesa  again,  "  so  important  a  mat- 
ter—" 

"  Sign  instantly  !  "  repeated  Ballaban  ;  and,  pointing 
to  the  door  where  the  soldiers  stood  waiting  their 
orders — "  or  neither  Amesa  nor  his  castle  will  exist 
until  the  day  breaks." 

The  baffled  man  took  from  a  niche  in  the  wall  a 
horn  of  thickened  ink,  and,  with  the  wooden  pen,  made 
his  signature,  and  pressed  the  ancient  seal  of  the  De 
Streeses  against  the  ball  of  softened  wax  attached 
to  it. 

"  This  will  serve  to  keep  you  true  :  for  if  by  the  next 
fulness  of  the  moon  Amesa's  standard  be  not  raised 
against  Scanderbeg's,  this,  as  evidence  of  your  treason, 
shall  be  read  in  all  your  Albanian  camps,"  said  Balla- 
ban, placing  the  document  in  his  bosom.  "  And  should 
you  need  to  confer  with  your  new  friends,  your  faith- 
ful Drakul  may  inquire  at  our  lines  for  Ballaban  Bad- 
era,  Aga  of  the  Janizaries." 

With  a  low  salam  he  withdrew.  A  few  muffled 
orders,  a  shuffling  of  feet,  and  the  castle  was  as  quiet 
as  the  stars  that  looked  down  upon  it. 


374          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

CHAPTER  LIII. 

THE  martial  pride  of  the  Ottoman  never  made  a 
more  imposing  demonstration  than  when  his  arm- 
ies deployed  upon  the  plain  of  Pharsalia*  in  Thessaly, 
and  threatened  the  southern  frontier  of  Albania.  Nor 
had  Jove,  who,  according  to  the  mythologic  concep- 
tion, held  his  court  upon  the  summit  of  the  not  distant 
Olympus — looked  down  upon  such  a  display  of  earthly 
power  since,  fifteen  centuries  before,  the  armies  of 
Pompey  and  Caesar  there  contended  for  the  domina- 
tion of  the  Roman  world.  For  Mahomet  II.  had  sworn 
his  mightiest  oath,  that,  by  one  blow,  he  would  now 
sweep  all  the  Arnaout  rebels  into  the  sea ;  and  that 
the  waves  of  the  Adriatic  over  against  Italy,  and  those 
of  the  Mediterranean  which  washed  the  Greek  penin- 
sula, and  the  Euxine  that  stayed  the  steps  of  the  Mus- 
covite, should  sing  with  their  confluent  waves  the 
glories  of  the  European  Empire  of  the  Ottoman  which 
lay  between  them. 

The  menace  to  Scanderbeg's  domain  was  not  chiefly 
in  the  numbers  of  men  whom  the  redoubtable  Isaac 
Pasha  now  commanded  in  the  name  of  the  Sultan  ; 
but  in  the  fact  that  the  mighty  host  was  accompanied 
by  Amesa,  the  new  "  King  of  Albania." 

The  defection  of  the  Voivode  had  sent  consterna- 
tion through  the  hearts  of  the  patriots.  Their  leaders 
looked  with  suspicion  into  one  another's  faces  as  they 
gathered  in  council ;  for  no  one  knew  but  that  his 

*  Vide  Knowles,  History  of  the  Turks,  and  Albanian  Chroni- 
cles, 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.        375 

comrade  was  in  secret  league  with  the  enemy.  Wear- 
ied with  trials,  the  soldiers  whispered  in  the  camps 
that  Amesa  was  a  Castriot  as  well  as  Scanderbeg.  Ital- 
ians of  rank,  who  had  loaned  their  swords  to  the  great 
chieftain,  were  returning  to  their  homes,  saying  that  it 
was  not  worth  while  to  risk  their  lives  and  fortunes  in 
defending  a  people  who  were  no  longer  agreed  in 
defending  themselves.  Scanderbeg,  apparently  un- 
willing or  unable  to  cope  with  this  double  danger, 
— the  power  of  the  Ottoman  without,  and  a  civil  war 
within  his  land — retired  to  Lyssa,*  far  away  to  the 
north. 

The  Turks  determined  to  inaugurate  their  final  con- 
quest, by  the  formal  coronation  of  their  ally,  so  that, 
heralded  by  King  Amesa's  proclamations,  they  might 
advance  more  readily  to  the  occupation  of  the  land. 
The  day  was  set  for  the  ceremony  of  the  royal  investi- 
ture. As  their  scouts,  ranging  far  and  wide,  reported 
no  enemy  to  be  near,  the  attention  of  the  army  was 
given  to  preparation  for  the  splendid  pageants,  the 
very  story  of  which  should  awe  the  simple  peasant 
population  into  submission,  or  seduce  their  hearts  with 
the  hope  of  having  so  magnificent  a  patron. 

The  day  before  that  appointed  for  this  glorious  dawn 
of  the  new  royalty,  was  one  of  intense  heat,  in  the 
middle  of  July.  The  snows  had  melted  even  from 
the  summit  of  the  Thessalian  Olympus,  though  its 
bare  pinnacle  yonder  pierced  the  sky  nearly  ten  thou- 
sand feet  above  the  sea.  Armor  was  heaped  in  the 
tents.  Horses  unsaddled  were  gathered  in  stockades, 

*  Modern  Alessio. 


376          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

or  tethered  far  out  on  the  glassy  plain.  Soldiers 
stretched  themselves  under  the  shadow  of  the  trees,  or 
wandered  in  groups  through  the  deserted  gardens  and 
orchards  of  the  neighboring  country,  feasting  upon 
the  early  ripened  fruits.  Only  the  eagles  that  circled  the 
air  high  above  the  vast  encampment,  or  perched  upon 
the  crags  of  distant  hills,  seemed  to  have  any  alarm  ; 
for  now  and  then  they  darted  off  with  a  shrill  cry. 

But  an  eye,  like  that  of  a  mysterious  retributive 
Providence,  was  peering  through  the  thicket  that 
crested  a  high  hill.  Scanderbeg,  presumed  to  be  far 
away,  had  studied  the  plain  long  and  intently  ;  when, 
turning  to  Constantine,  who  was  at  his  side,  he  said  : 

"  Now  plan  me  a  raid  through  that  flock  of  silly 
sheep.  Where  would  you  strike,  my  boy  ?  " 

Constantine  replied,  "  There  is  but  one  point  at 
which  we  could  enter  the  plain, — through  yonder 
depression.  The  hills  on  either  side  would  conceal 
the  advance  until  well  upon  them.  Besides,  the  nar- 
rowness of  the  valley,  and  the  growth  of  trees  would 
prevent  their  meeting  us  with  more  than  man  for 
man." 

Scanderbeg  shook  his  head. 

"  The  Turks  know  that  place  invites  attack  as  well 
as  we  do,  and  have  ranged  so  as  to  prevent  surprise 
there.  But  yonder  line  of  trees  and  copse  leads 
almost  to  the  centre  of  their  camp." 

"  But  it  is  exposed  to  view  on  either  side,"  replied 
Constantine. 

"  So  much  the  better,"  said  Castriot,  "  and  there- 
fore it  is  not  guarded  even  in  Isaac  Pasha's  thought. 
It  would  take  longer  after  the  alarm  to  range 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.        377 

against  us  there  than  in  the  ravine.  Their  cavalry  is 
all  on  this  side  the  trees.  They  could  not  cut  through 
the  bushes  before  we  were  by  the  horse-tails  yonder, 
there  by  the  Pasha's  tent." 

"  But  is  it  not  too  open  ?  "  said  Constantine,  almost 
incredulous. 

"  Yes,  at  any  other  time  than  this,  when  the  Turks 
are  not  dreaming  of  our  being  within  a  dozen  leagues 
of  them.  The  very  boldness  of  such  an  attack  as  this 
at  high  noon-tide  will  be  better  for  us  than  any  schem- 
ing. And,  if  I  mistake  not,  and  our  beasts  are  not  too 
jaded  by  the  long  march,  we  shall  have  the  souls  out 
of  a  thousand  or  so  of  the  Turks  before  they  can  get 
their  bodies  into  armor.  And  I  give  to  you,  my  boy, 
the  care  of  our  nephew,  Amesa.  Be  diverted  by  no 
side  play,  but  cut  your  way  straight  to  him.  If  possi- 
ble, spare  his  life,  but  he  must  never  get  a  crown  upon 
his  head." 

As  silently  as  the  summer's  fleecy  clouds  gather 
into  the  storm,  the  band  of  patriots,  summoned  from 
their  various  quarters,  gathered  behind  the  spur  of  the 
hill.  The  Turks  were  startled  as  with  a  sudden  rising 
tempest.  Beys  and  Pashas  and  Agas  had  scarcely 
emerged  from  their  tents,  when  five  thousand  Albanian 
cavalrymen  were  already  turning  the  line  of  the  woods. 
On  they  came  with  the  celerity  of  a  flock  of  birds  just 
skimming  the  ground.  The  sentry  flew  as  the  leaves 
before  the  wind.  The  very  multitude  of  the  Turks, 
driven  toward  the  centre,  but  fed  the  dripping  swords 
of  the  assailants.  Among  the  tents  wound  the  com- 
pact array  of  Albanian  riders,  like  a  huge  serpent. 
On  and  on  it  rolled,  scarcely  pausing  to  repel  attack. 


378  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

Dividing,  one  part  crushed  the  headquarters  of  Isaac, 
while  the  other  wrapped  in  its  crunching  folds  the 
splendid  camp  of  Amesa. 

Bravely  did  this  young  Absalom  defend  his  un- 
fledged royalty.  Surrounded  by  a  group  of  Alban- 
ian renegades  like  himself,  he  fought  desperately, 
well  knowing  the  dire  vengeance  which  should  follow 
his  capture.  But  one  by  one  they  fell.  Amesa 
remained  almost  alone,  as  yet  unharmed.  The  captain 
of  the  Albanian  troops  commanded  a  halt,  and,  dis- 
mounting, he  demanded  Amesa's  surrender. 

"  To  none  but  a  Castriot  will  a  Castriot  surrender  !  " 
cried  the  infuriate  man,  making  a  lunge  at  the  chal- 
lenger. The  thrust  was  avoided. 

"You  shall  surrender  to  another,"  cried  the  Alban- 
ian officer.  "  Stand  back,  men,  he  shall  yield  to  me 
alone." 

•'  Who  are  you  ?  "  growled  the  challenged  man. 

"  One  who  has  the  right  to  avenge  the  wrong  done 
to  Mara  de  Streeses,"  was  the  reply. 

Quick  as  a  panther  Amesa  leaped  upon  him.  But 
the  tremendous  blow  he  aimed,  might  as  well  have 
been  delivered  against  a  rock,  as  against  the  sword  of 
Constantine.  The  effort  threw  him  off  his  balance  ; 
and  before  he  could  recover  himself,  the  tremendous 
slash  of  his  opponent,  though  warded,  brought  him  to 
the  ground.  In  an  instant  Constantine's  knee  was 
upon  his  breast,  and  his  sword  at  his  throat. 

"  Do  you  surrender  ?  " 

"  Yes  !  "  groaned  the  helpless  man. 

He  was  instantly  disarmed,  and  bound  by  the  girth 
to  a  horse. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.        379 


CHAPTER  LIV. 

corps  of  Janizaries  had  been  quartered  at 
1  some  distance  from  the  main  body  of  the  Turks. 
Their  new  Aga  comprehended  at  once  the  significance 
of  the  turmoil  in  the  camp,  and  hastened  to  the 
defence.  Though  he  moved  rapidly,  and  with  a  well 
conceived  plan  of  confronting  the  enemy,  yet,  most  of 
his  troops  being  foot-soldiers,  he  was  unable  to  con- 
front the  swift-riding  squadrons  of  Scanderbeg. 
These  assailants  withdrew  from  the  field,  but  only  to 
return  again  and  again  upon  the  panic  stricken  Turks, 
whose  fears  had  magnified  the  numbers  of  their  foes 
into  scores  of  thousands.  So  rapidly  did  assault  fol- 
low assault,  and  from  such  diverse  quarters,  that  the 
Moslem  fright  imagined  one  attack  was  headed  by  the 
terrible  Ivan  Beg  with  his  savage  Montenegrins,  and 
another  by  Hunyades,  a  report  of  whose  alliance 
with  Scanderbeg  had  reached  the  camps  before  the 
battle.  Indeed  the  rumble  of  a  coming  thunder 
storm  was  interpreted  into  the  clamor  and  tread  of 
unknown  myriads  ready  to  burst  through  the  moun- 
tains. Never  did  a  more  insane  panic  steal  away  the 
courage  of  soldiers  and  the  judgment  of  generals. 
Late  in  the  day  the  plain  of  Pharsalia  was  the  scene 
of  one  vast  wreck.  Overturned  tents  displayed 
immense  stores  of  burnished  arms  and  vestments,  pro- 
visions of  need  and  luxury,  standards  for  the  field 
and  banners  for  the  pageant ;  and  everywhere  strewn 
amid  this  debris  of  pomp  and  pride  the  half-armored 


380          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

bodies  of  the  slaughtered  Turks.  In  narrow  moun- 
tain valleys  the  freshet  following  the  sudden  tempest, 
never  changed  the  bloom  of  the  summer  gardens 
more  completely,  than  this  panic,  following  Scander- 
beg's  raid,  changed  the  splendid  camp  of  the  morn- 
ing into  the  desolation  upon  which  the  setting  sun 
cast,  as  a  fitting  omen,  its  red  rays.  Indeed,  we  can 
conceive  no  similitude  by  which  to  express  the  con- 
trast better  than  that  of  Amesa  himself,  in  the  morn- 
ing adorned  in  the  splendor  of  his  royal  expectation, 
and  at  night  lying  bound  with  ropes  at  the  feet  of 
Scanderbeg. 

The  grand  old  chieftain  looked  at  the  renegade  for 
a  moment  with  pity  and  scorn  ;  then  turned  away, 
saying,— 

"  Let  him  lie  there  until  Captain  Constantine,  to 
whom  he  belongs,  shall  come." 

But  Constantine  came  not.  Though  the  main 
body  of  the  Turks  had  taken  to  precipitate  flight,  the 
Janizaries  had  managed,  by  their  unbroken  and 
orderly  retreat,  to  cover  the  rear,  and  prevent  pursuit 
by  Scanderbeg.  Ballaban  had  reached  the  group 
engaged  in  the  capture  of  Amesa,  and  almost  rescued 
him.  This  would  have  been  accomplished  had  not 
Constantine  and  a  handful  of  his  company  made  a 
living  wall  between  the  Janizaries  and  those  who  were 
leading  away  the  miserable  man.  Ballaban,  feeling 
the  responsibility  of  saving  him  whom  he  had  led  into 
this  shameful  misfortune,  pressed  to  the  very 
front. 

"  By  the  sword  of  the  Prophet  !  the  fellow  fights 
bravely,"  he  exclaimed,  as  he  watched  Constantine, 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.        381 

baffling  a  half  dozen  Janizaries  who  were  pressing 
upon  him. 

"  Back,  men !  I  would  measure  my  arm  against 
his,"  he  cried,  as  he  laid  his  sword  against  that  of  his 
unknown  antagonist. 

Both  were  in  complete  armor,  their  faces  concealed 
by  the  closed  helmets.  The  soldiers  stood  as  eager 
spectators  of  the  masterly  sword  play.  The  two  men 
seemed  evenly  matched, — the  same  in  stature  and 
build.  There  was,  too,  a  surprising  similarity  in 
movement — the  very  tactics  of  the  Janizary  in  thrust 
and  parry  being  repeated  by  the  Albanian  ;  their 
swords  now  flashing  like  interlacing  flames  ;  the 
sharp  ring  as  the  Albanian  smote  upon  the  polished 
metal  of  his  antagonist's  armor,  answered  by  the 
duller  thud  as  the  Janizary's  blow  fell  upon  the  thick 
leather  which  encased  the  panoply  of  his  opponent. 
Then  both  stood  as  if  posing  for  the  sculptor  ;  their 
sword  points  crossing  ;  their  eyes  glaring  beneath  the 
visors  ;  the  slightest  movement  of  a  muscle  antici- 
pated by  either — then  again  the  crash. 

But  Constantine  was  exhausted  by  his  previous 
engagement  with  Amesa.  In  an  unlucky  moment  the 
sword  turned  in  his  hand.  The  steadiness  of  the 
grip  was  lost.  He  managed  to  ward  the  blow  which 
the  Aga  delivered  ;  but,  foreseeing  that  he  could  not 
recover  his  grasp  soon  enough  to  return  it,  and  that 
his  opponent  was  thrown  slightly  off  his  perfect 
poise  by  his  exertion,  he  dropped  his  sword,  and 
closed  with  him.  They  fell  to  the  ground  ;  but  the 
Aga,  more  alert  at  the  instant,  was  uppermost,  and 
his  dagger  first  in  position  for  the  fatal  cut. 


382        THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

"  I  can  not  slay  so  valiant  a  man  as  you,"  said  Bal- 
laban.  "  You  surrender  ? " 

"  I  must,"  was  the  response.  As  they  rose,  Balla- 
ban  looked  a  moment  upon  the  vanquished,  and  said, 

"  I  would  know  the  name  of  my  worthy  antagonist, 
for  worthier  I  never  found.  Scanderbeg  himself  could 
not  have  done  better.  But  I  had  the  advantage  of  being 
in  better  wind  at  the  start,  or,  Allah  knows,  I  had  fared 
hard." 

"  It  is  enough  that  I  am  your  prisoner,"  said  Con- 
stantine,  "and  that  I  have  detained  my  conqueror 
long  enough  to  prevent  the  recapture  of  that  Albanian 
traitor,  Amesa.  You  can  have  me  willingly,  now  that 
you  cannot  have  him." 

The  Albanian  threw  up  his  visor.  Ballaban  stared 
at  the  face.  It  was  as  familiar  as  his  own  which  he 
saw  daily  in  the  polished  brass  mirror.  The  Janizaries 
stared  with  almost  equal  amazement. 

"  No  wonder  he  fought  so  well,  Aga  !  "  said  one,  "  for 
he  is  thy  other  self." 

"  Let  him  be  brought  to  our  headquarters  when  we 
halt,"  said  Ballaban,  remounting  his  horse,  and  dashing 
away  to  another  part  of  the  field. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         383 


CHAPTER  LV. 

NIGHT  brought  little  sleep  to  the  Turkish  host. 
Though  danger  was  past,  a  sense  of  humiliation 
and  chagrin  was  shared  by  officers  and  men,  as  they 
realized  that  their  defeat  was  due  to  their  own  folly 
more  than  to  the  strength  of  their  foe.  In  every  tent- 
less  group  the  men  disturbed  the  quiet  of  the  night  with 
their  ceaseless  quarrels.  Members  of  the  different  com- 
mands, hopelessly  confused  in  the  general  flight,  ri- 
valled one  another  in  the  rancor  and  contempt  of  their 
mutual  recriminations  as  much  as  they  ever  emulated 
one  another  in  the  courage  and  prowess  of  a  well 
fought  field.  Among  those  of  highest  rank  bitter  and 
insulting  words  were  followed  by  blows,  as  if  the  gen- 
eral disgrace  could  be  washed  out  by  a  gratuitous  spill- 
ing of  their  own  blood. 

But  a  different  interest  kept  Ballaban  waking. 
Beneath  the  great  tree,  which  had  been  designated  as 
the  headquarters  of  the  Janizaries,  and  from  a  limb  of 
which  was  suspended  the  symbolic  kettle,  his  prisoner 
had  been  awaiting  the  Chief  Aga.  The  glimpse  of  his 
face  at  the  time  of  the  capture  had  awakened  in  the 
Janizary  more  than  a  suspicion  of  the  personality  of 
the  captive  ;  while  the  name  of  Ballaban,  which  he  had 
heard  from  the  soldiers,  revealed  to  the  Albanian 
that  of  his  captor.  With  impatience  the  Aga  con- 
versed with  the  various  commanders  who  thronged 
him,  and  as  soon  as  possible  dismissed  them.  When 
they  were  alone  Constantine  rose,  and,  without  com- 
pleting his  salam,  exclaimed, 


384          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

"  You  play  more  roughly,  Michael,  than  when  last 
we  wrestled  together  among  the  rocks  of  Slatiza." 

"  Ah,  my  brother  Constantine,  I  thought  of  you 
when  you  gripped  me  in  the  fight  to-day ;  for  it  was 
the  same  old  hug  with  which  we  rolled  together  long 
ago.  I  would  have  known  you,  had  you  only  given 
me  time  to  think,  without  your  raising  the  visor." 

The  brothers  stood  for  a  moment  in  half  embrace, 
scanning  each  other's  face  and  form.  An  onlooker 
would  have  noted  that  their  mutual  resemblance  was 
not  in  the  details  of  their  features,  so  much  as  in  cer- 
tain marked  peculiarities  ;  such  as  the  red  and  brist- 
ling hair,  square  face,  prominent  nose  and  chin.  Con- 
stantine's  forehead  was  higher  than  Michael's,  which 
had  more  breadth  and  massiveness  across  the  brows. 
In  speaking,  Constantine's  eye  kindled,  and  his  plas- 
tic lips  gave  expression  to  every  play  of  sentiment : 
while  Michael's  face  was  as  inflexible  as  a  mask  ;  the 
deep  light  of  his  glance  as  thoroughly  under  control 
of  his  will  as  if  it  were  the  flash  of  a  dark  lantern  ;  his 
appearance  revealing  not  the  shadow  of  a  thought, 
not  the  flicker  of  an  emotion,  beyond  that  he  chose  to 
put  into  words.  This  physiognomical  difference  was 
doubtless  largely  due  to  the  training  of  years.  The 
Janizary's  habit  of  caution  and  secretiveness  evolved, 
as  it  were,  this  invisible,  but  impenetrable,  visor.  The 
custom  of  unquestioning  obedience  to  another,  and 
that  of  the  remorseless  prosecution  of  whatever  he 
regarded  as  politic  for  the  service,  gave  rigidity  to  the 
facial  muscles  ;  set  them  with  the  prevalent  purpose  ; 
stereotyped  in  them  the  expression  of  determination. 
A  short  beard  added  to  the  immobile  cast  of  his  coun- 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.        385 

tenance.  Thus,  though  when  separated  the  two  men 
might  readily  be  taken  the  one  for  the  other,  when 
together  their  resemblance  served 'to  suggest  as  wide 
contrasts. 

The  entire  night  was  spent  by  the  brothers  in  mutual 
narrations  of  their  eventful  lives.  Though  their 
careers  had  been  so  distinct,  in  different  lands,  under 
rival  civilizations,  in  the  service  of  contending  nations, 
and  inflamed  by  the  incentives  of  antagonistic  religions, 
yet  their  roads  had  crossed  at  the  most  important 
points  in  each.  They  learned  to  their  astonishment 
that  the  most  significant  events,  those  awakening  the 
deepest  experience  in  the  one  life,  had  been  due  to 
the  presence  of  the  other.  As  Michael  told  of  his 
raid  upon  the  Albanian  village,  Constantine  supplied 
the  key  to  the  mystery  of  the  escape  of  his  fair  captive, 
and  the  arrest  of  Michael  for  having  at  that  time 
deserted  his  command.  Then  Michael  in  turn  sup- 
plied the  key  to  Constantine's  arrest  by  Colonel  Kab- 
ilovitsch's  men  as  a  Turkish  spy.  Constantine  solved 
the  enigma  of  Amesa's  overtures  to  Michael  in  refer- 
ence to  the  Dodola  Elissa  ;  and  Michael  solved  that 
of  Constantine's  rough  handling  by  the  garrison  of 
Sfetigrade  for  having  dropped  the  dog  into  the  well. 
Constantine  unravelled  the  diabolical  plot  which  had 
nearly  been  tragic  for  Michael  in  the  old  reservoir  at 
Constantinople  ;  and  Michael  as  readily  unravelled  that 
of  the  serio-comic  drama  in  the  tent  of  Mahomet, 
when  Constantine's  life  was  saved  through  the  assump- 
tion that  he  was  his  lunatic  brother.  Constantine 
supplied  to  Michael  the  missing  link  in  the  story  of 
Morsinia's  escape  from  Constantinople  ;  and  Michael 
25 


386         THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

supplied  that  which  was  wanting  of  Constantine's 
knowledge  of  the  story  of  her  escape  from  death  in 
the  horrors  of  the  scene  in  St.  Sophia  after  the  capt- 
ure of  the  city.  They  had,  under  the  strange  leadings 
of  what  both  their  Christian  and  Moslem  faith  recog- 
nized as  a  Divine  Providence,  been  more  to  each  other 
than  they  could  have  been  had  their  lives  drifted  in 
the  same  channel  during  all  these  years.  In  the  old 
boyhood  confidence,  which  their  strange  meeting  had 
revived,  Michael  did  not  withhold  the  confession  of 
Morsinia's  influence  upon  him,  though  she  had  been 
to  him  more  of  an  ideal  than  a  real  person,  a  beauti- 
ful development  to  his  imagination  out  of  his  child- 
hood memory  of  his  little  playmate  in  the  Balkans. 
Nor  did  Constantine  hesitate  to  declare  the  love  and 
betrothal  by  which  he  held  the  charming  reality  as  his 
own.  He  told,  too,  of  her  real  personality  as  the 
ward  of  Scanderbeg,  and  the  true  heir  of  the  splendid 
estates  until  recently  held  by  Amesa. 

The  dawn  brought  duties  to  the  Aga  which  pre- 
cluded further  conference  with  Constantine. 

"We  must  part,  my  dear  brother,"  said  Michael. 
"  Our  armies  will  probably  return  through  Macedonia, 
and  abandon  the  campaign  :  for  such  is  the  unwise 
determination  of  our  commander  Isaac.  You  must 
escape  into  your  own  lines.  That  can  be  easily 
arranged.  We  may  not  meet  again  soon  ;  but  I  swear 
to  you,  by  the  memory  of  our  childhood,  that  your 
personal  interest  shall  be  mine.  Aside  from  the  ne- 
cessities of  the  military  service,  we  can  be  brothers  still. 
And  Morsinia,  that  angel  of  our  better  natures  ;  you 
must  let  me  share  with  you,  if  not  her  affection,  surely 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         387 

her  confidence.  I  could  not  woo  her  from  you  if  I 
would  ;  but  assure  her  that,  though  wearing  the  uni- 
form of  an  enemy,  I  shall  be  as  true  in  my  thoughts  of 
her  as  when  we  played  by  the  old  cot  on  the  moun- 
tains ;  and  as  when  I  pledged  my  life  to  serve  her 
while  she  was  in  the  harem  at  Stamboul." 

"  But  why  must  this  war  against  Castriot  continue  ? 
I  would  that  our  compact  were  that  of  the  armies  to 
which  we  belong,"  said  Constantine. 

"  It  is  impossible  for  a  Janizary  to  sheath  the 
sword  while  Scanderbeg  lives,"  replied  the  Aga. 
"  Our  oath  forbids  it.  He  once  was  held  by  the  vow 
of  the  Prophet's  service,  and  deserted  it.  I  know  his 
temptation  was  strong.  In  my  heart  I  might  find 
charity  for  him."  The  speaker  hesitated  as  if  haunted 
by  some  troublesome  memory,  then  continued — "  But 
a  Janizary  may  show  no  charity  to  a  renegade.  Be- 
sides, he  is  the  curse  of  Albania.  But  for  his  ambi- 
tion, these  twelve  years  of  blood  would  have  been 
those  of  peace  and  happiness  through  all  these  val- 
leys, under  the  sway  of  our  munificent  and  wise  Pad- 
ishah." 

"  Your  own  best  thoughts,  Michael,  should  correct 
you.  What  are  peace  and  its  happy  indolence  com- 
pared with  the  cause  of  a  holy  faith  ?  " 

"  You  speak  sublimely,  my  brother,"  replied  Michael 
"  but  your  faith  gains  nothing  by  this  war.  Under  our 
Padishah's  beneficence  the  Giaours  are  protected. 
The  Greeks  hold  sufficient  churches,  even  in  Stamboul, 
for  the  worship  of  all  who  remain  in  that  faith. 
Indeed,  I  have  heard  Gennadius  the  monk  of  whom 
you  were  speaking  awhile  ago — say  that  he  would 


388        THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

trust  his  flock  to  the  keeping  of  the  Moslem  stranger 
sooner  than  to  the  Pope  of  Rome.  I  have  known  our 
Padishah  defend  the  Greek  Giaours  from  the  tyranny 
of  their  own  bishops.  He  asks  only  the  loyalty  of  his 
people  to  his  throne,  and  awaits  the  will  of  Allah  to 
turn  them  to  his  faith  ;  for  the  Book  of  the  Prophet 
says  truly,  Allah  will  lead  into  error  whom  he  pleaseth 
and  whom  he  pleaseth  he  will  put  in  the  right 
way.*  Believe  me,  my  brother,  Albania's  safety  is 
only  in  submission.  The  Fate  that  directs  all 
affairs  has  indubitably  decreed  that  all  this  vast 
peninsula  between  Adria  and  ^Egea  shall  lie 
beneath  the  shadow  of  the  Padishah's  sceptre  ;  for  he 
is  Zil-Ullah,  the  shadow  of  God.  Who  can  resist  the 
conqueror  of  the  capital  of  your  Eastern  Christian 
Empire  ;  the  conqueror  of  Athens,  and  of  the  islands 
of  the  sea  ? " 

"  Let  us  then  speak  no  more  of  this,"  said  Constan- 
tine.  "  Our  training  has  been  so  different,  that  we  can 
not  hope  to  agree.  But  we  can  be  one  in  the  kindli- 
ness of  our  thoughts,  as  we  are  of  one  blood.  Jesu 
bless  you,  my  brother  !  " 

"  Allah  bless  you,  Constantine  !  "  was  the  hearty 
response,  as  the  two  grasped  hands.  Eyes  which 
would  not  have  shown  bodily  pain  by  so  much  as  the 
tremor  of  their  lids,  were  moist  with  the  outflow  of 
those  springs  in  our  nature  that  are  deeper  than  cour- 
age— springs  of  brotherly  affection,  fed  by  hallowed 
memories  of  the  long  ago. 

Two  Janizaries  accompanied  Constantine  beyond 
the  Turkish  lines. 

Koran,  Chapter  VI. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.        389 

"  What  new  scheme  has  the  Aga  hatched  in  his 
brain  now  ?  "  said  one  of  them,  as  they  returned. 

"  He  has  twisted  that  fellow's  brain  so  that  he  will 
never  serve  Scanderbeg  truly  again,"  was  the  knowing 
reply.  "  The  Aga  is  the  very  devil  to  throw  a  spell 
over  a  man.  They  say  that  when  he  captured  the  fel- 
low yesterday,  he  had  only  to  squint  into  his  face  a 
moment,  when,  as  quick  as  a  turn  of  a  foil,  the  man 
changed  his  looks,  and  was  as  much  like  the  Aga  as 
two  thumbs." 


CHAPTER  LVI. 

THE  splendor  of  the  victory,  and  the  inestimable 
spoil  which  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Albanians, 
elated  the  patriot  braves  ;  and  the  good  news  flew  as 
if  the  eagles  that  watched  the  battles  from  afar  were 
its  couriers.  Castriot,  however,  seemed  to  be  oblivi- 
ous to  the  general  rejoicing.  The  wrath  he  had  dis- 
played during  the  time  of  Amesa's  menace  from  the 
ranks  of  the  enemy,  was  displaced  by  pity  as  he  looked 
upon  the  contemptible  and  impotent  man.  He  touched 
him  with  his  foot,  and  said,  in  half  soliloquy — 

"  And  in  this  body  is  some  of  the  blood  of  the  Cas- 
triots  !  Humph  !  " 

Turning  away  he  paced  the  tent — 

"  And  why  not  Castriot's  blood  in  Amesa  !  It  is  not 
too  immaculate  to  flow  in  his  veins,  since  it  has  filled 
my  own.  I  was  a  Turk,  too,  once.  But "  looking 


39°          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

at  the  wrinkles  upon  his  hand — "  growing  old  in  a 
better  service  may  atone  somewhat  for  the  shame  of 
earlier  days.  And  these  hands  never  murdered  a 
peaceful  neighbor  and  his  innocent  wife,  and  robbed 
a  child  of  her  inheritance — though  they  did  murder 
that  poor  Reis-Effendi.  But  God  knows  it  could  not 
be  helped.  But  what  is  one  man  that  he  shall  con- 
demn another  ! "  An  officer  approached  for  or- 
ders. 

"  What,   Sire,  shall  be  done  with  the  prisoner  ?  " 

"  Let  him  lie  until  Constantine  comes  !  "  was  the 
response. 

Late  in  the  night  the  general  sat  gazing  upon  the 
miserable  heap  of  humanity  that  crouched  by  the  tent 
side.  Amesa  raised  himself  as  far  as  his  bonds  would 
permit,  and  began  to  speak. 

"  Silence  !  "  demanded  Castriot,  but  without  taking 
his  eyes  from  the  prisoner. 

A  subaltern,  anxious  to  induce  the  general  to  take 
needed  rest,  again  suggested  some  disposition  of  the 
prisoner  for  the  night. 

"  Let  him  lie  until  Constantine  comes  !  " 

"  Captain  Constantine  has  been  captured,  Sire," 
replied  the  officer  ;  "  men  who  were  with  him  have 
returned,  and  so  report." 

"  By  whom  captured  ?  "  asked  the  general  in  alarm. 

"  By  Janizaries." 

Castriot  smiled,  and  asked,  "  It  is  certain  he  was  not 
slain  ?  " 

"  Certain,  Sire,  for  Ino  saw  him  being  taken  away." 

"  Let  the  prisoner  lie  there  until  Captain  Constan- 
tine returns." 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.       391 

The  morning  found  Amesa  still  bound.  No  one 
had  been  allowed  to  speak  to  him,  nor  he  to  utter  a 
word. 

During  Castriot's  absence  from  the  tent  not  one 
approached  it  ;  only  the  guard  patrolled  at  the  dis- 
tance of  a  couple  of  rods. 

"  The  torture  of  such  a  villain's  thoughts  will  be 
more  cruel  than  our  taunts  or  swords.  Let  him  lie 
there,  and  tear  himself  with  his  own  devil  claws !  " 
had  been  Castriot's  order. 

Toward  noon  the  camp  rang  with  cheers.  Scouts 
reported  that  Constantine  had  escaped,  and  was  re- 
turning. Castriot  alone  seemed  unsurprised,  though 
gratified  with  the  news.  He  went  to  the  edge  of  the 
camp  to  meet  him. 

"  Well,  my  boy,  your  brother  was  not  so  well  pleased 
with  your  looks,  and  let  you  go  sooner  than  I  thought 
he  would.  I  expected  you  not  until  to-night." 

"  My  brother  ?  How  knew  you,  Sire,  that  I  had 
seen  him  ?  for  I  have  told  it  to  none." 

"  Then  tell  it  to  none.  To  warn  you  of  that  I  came 
to  meet  you,  lest  your  tongue  might  be  unwise.  Did 
you  not  tell  me  yourself  that  Ballaban  was  the  Moslem 
name  of  your  brother  ? " 

"  But  how  knew  you  that  he  was  in  this  service  ?  " 
asked  Constantine. 

"  As  I  know  every  officer  in  the  enemy's  service  in 
Albania  above  an  ojak's  command.  And  the  Aga  of 
the  Janizaries  is  to  my  mind  as  the  commander  of  the 
expedition.  And  I  will  tell  you  more,  my  boy  ;  — 
unless  the  Padishah  has  gone  daft  with  his  chagrin 
over  this  defeat,  Ballaban  Aga  will  command  the  next 


392          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

campaign  against  us  :  for  none  save  he  kept  his  wits 
in  the  fight  yesterday.  His  plan  was  masterful,  and 
saved  the  whole  Moslem  army.  He  held  his  Janiza- 
ries so  well  in  hand,  and  so  well  placed,  that  I  could 
not  follow  up  our  advantage,  nor  even  strike  to  rescue 
you.  Ballaban  evidently  has  been  much  in  the 
Albanian  wars,  and  has  learned  my  methods  better 
than  any  of  our  own  officers.  Should  he  succeed  to 
the  horse-tails,  the  war  hereafter  will  not  be  so  one- 
sided as  it  has  been.  Mark  that,  my  dear  fellow. 
But  we  must  look  to  our  royal  prisoner,  after  I  have 
heard  your  story." 

Late  in  the  day  Castriot  summoned  Moses  Goleme, 
Kabilovitsch,  and  Constantine.  Amesa  was  unbound, 
and  was  bidden  to  speak  what  he  could  in  extenuation 
of  his  treason.  The  Voivode  protested  his  innocence 
of  any  designs  against  the  liberties  of  his  country  ; 
and  declared  that  he  had  despaired  of  obtaining  her 
independence  under  Castriot's  leadership.  Better  was 
it  to  take  the  virtual  freedom  of  Albania  under  the  Sul- 
tan's nominal  suzerainty,  than  to  longer  wage  a  hopeless 
war.  In  this  he  was  seconded,  he  said,  by  the  noblest 
generals  and  patriots.  He  was  about  to  mention 
them  ;  but  was  forbidden  to  utter  so  much  as  a  sus- 
picion against  any  one. 

"  I  would  not  know  them,"  said  the  magnanimous 
chief.  "  I  will  not  have  a  shadow  of  distrust  in  my 
mind  toward  any  who  have  not  drawn  sword  against 
us.  Let  them  keep  their  thoughts  in  their  own  breasts- 
Noble  Moses,  your  lips  shall  pronounce  the  sentence 
due  Amesa's  treason." 

The  Dibrian  general  was  silent. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.       393 

"  Then,  if  Moses  speaks  no  condemnation,  no  other 
lips  shall,"  said  Castriot. 

Amesa  threw  himself  at  the  feet  of  the  chief,  and 
began  to  pour  forth  his  gratitude. 

"  The  life  thou  hast  spared,  Sire,  shall  ever  be  thine. 
My  sword  shall  be  given  to  thee  as  sovereign  of  my 
heart,  as  well  as  of  my  country." 

"  Hold  !"  said  Castriot.  "What  says  Arnaud,  the 
forester  ? " 

Amesa  raised  his  face,  blanched  as  suddenly  with 
horror  as  it  had  been  flushed  with  elation.  The  ven- 
erable Kabilovitsch  sat  in  silence  for  a  time,  lost  in 
the  vividness  of  his  recollections.  At  length,  with 
slow  speech  and  tremulous  voice,  he  portrayed  the 
scenes  of  that  terrible  night  when  the  castle  of  the 
gallant  De  Streeses  was  destroyed,  its  owner  slain,  the 
fair  Mara  driven  back  into  the  flames  from  which  she 
would  have  fled. 

"It  is  a  lie,"  shouted  Amesa.  "The  deed  was 
wrought  by  Turks  !  " 

"  Thy  words  condemn  thee  ! "  said  Castriot.  "  The 
crime  was  not  laid  to  thy  charge,  Amesa.  But  now  it 
shall  be.  Let  Drakul  be  brought." 

Soldiers  led  in  the  man.  The  villain,  whose  hand 
had  stayed  at  no  deed  of  daring  or  cruelty,  was  now 
seized  with  such  cowardly  fright  that  he  could  scarce 
keep  his  legs.  He  was  dragged  before  the  extem- 
porized court.  In  answer  to  questions,  he  admitted 
his  part,  not  only  in  the  original  murders,  but  also  in 
the  raid  upon  the  hamlet  where  Amesa  had  suspected 
the  heiress  of  De  Streeses  to  be  concealed. 

Amesa's  rage  at  this  betrayal  burst  forth  in  savage 


394          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

oaths,  mingled  with  such  contradictory  denials  of  his 
story  as  clearly  confirmed  its  truth. 

"  For  his  treason  against  my  authority,  I  refuse  to 
take  vengeance,"  said  Castriot.  "  But  Albania,  appeal- 
ing for  God's  aid  in  establishing  its  liberties,  must,  in 
God's  name,  do  justice.  What  says  Colonel  Kabil- 
ovitsch  ?  " 

The  old  man  spoke  as  if  the  solemnity  of  the  Last 
Judgment  had  fallen  upon  him, — 

"  As  soon  I  must  go  before  Him  whose  mercy  I 
shall  so  sadly  need  for  the  sins  of  my  own  life,  I  for- 
give Amesa  the  cruelty  with  which  he  has  followed  me. 
God  is  my  witness,  that  my  personal  grievance  colors 
not  a  thought  of  my  heart.  But,  as  I  shall  soon  stand 
before  the  Judge,  together  with  the  noble  De  Streeses, 
who  was  robbed  of  life  in  its  meridian,  and  that 
bright  spirit  whose  cry  for  Amesa's  mercy  I  heard 
from  out  the  flames,  I  say,  Let  justice  be  done  !  and 
let  the  soul  of  the  murderer  be  sent  to  confront  his 
victims  there  before  their  God  !  " 

"  Amen  !  "  said  Constantine.  Moses  Goleme  was 
silent. 

Amesa  had  lost  all  his  bravado.  He  trembled  as 
would  the  meanest  of  men  who  should  bow  his  neck 
to  the  sword.  He  confessed  his  crime,  and  piteously 
begged  for  his  life ;  or,  at  least,  that  time  should  be 
given  him  to  make  preparation  for  what  he  dreaded 
worse  than  death.  A  spirit  already  damned  seemed 
to  have  taken  possession  of  his  quivering  frame. 

"  Your  life,  Amesa,"  said  the  chief,  "  is  forfeit  for 
your  crimes.  On  the  citadel  walls  of  Croia,  when  we 
shall  have  returned  there,  as  the  sun  sets,  so  shall  your 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.        395 

life  !  Jesu  grant  that,  through  your  repentance  and 
the  prayers  of  Mother  Church,  your  soul  may  rise 
again  in  a  better  world  !  " 

"  Amen  !  "  responded  all. 

The  army  returned  from  the  Thessalian  border 
through  the  country  northward,  everywhere  received 
with  ovations  by  the  people.  The  fate  of  Amesa, 
though  commiserated,  was  as  generally  commended. 
No  one,  however  attached  by  association  to  the  once 
popular  Voivode,  raised  a  voice  in  dissent  from  the 
sentence,  or  in  pity  for  the  culprit. 


CHAPTER  LVII. 

THE  news  reached  Morsinia  at  Croia  long  before 
the  return  of  the  army.  She  took  little  joy  in  the 
hearty  and  generous  acclaim  that  welcomed  her  to  her 
inheritance.  She  had  no  vanity  to  be  stimulated  by 
the  popular  stories  which  associated  her  beauty  with 
her  wealth.  Her  thoughts  seemed  to  be  palled  with 
heaviness,  rather  than  canopied  by  the  bright  pros- 
pects which  fortune  had  spread  for  her. 

When  Castriot  officially  announced  to  her  the  res- 
toration of  the  DeStreeses  property,  she  refused  to 
enter  upon  her  estates,  which  were  to  come  to  her 
through  the  ceremony  of  blood  in  the  execution  of 
her  enemy. 

"  No  !  Let  them  be  confiscate  to  the  State.  I 
cheerfully  surrender  their  revenues  for  Albania.  I 


396          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

ask  nothing  more  than  to  be  the  instrument  of  so  aid- 
ing our  noble  cause  and  its  noble  leader,"  said  she. 

"  Albania  will  insist  that  you  shall  obtain  your 
right.  From  voivode  to  lowest  peasant,  the  people 
will  be  content  only  as  the  daughter  of  DeStreeses 
graces  his  ancient  castle." 

"  But,"  responded  she,  "  I  shall  never  enter  its 
doors  over  the  body  of  my  enemy.  May  not  some 
other  fate  be  his  ? " 

"  Law  should  be  sacred,"  said  Castriot. 

"  But  is  it  not  a  law  of  Albania  that  even  a  mur- 
derer need  not  be  executed  if  all  the  family  of  his  vic- 
tim unite  in  his  behalf,  and  he  pay  the  Krwnina  ?* 
Am  I  not  all  the  family  of  DeStreeses  ?  Let  then  the 
estates  be  the  Krwnina." 

"  That  cannot  be,"  replied  Castriot.  "  The  law 
requires  the  price  of  blood  to  be  paid  by  the  murderer, 
and  the  estates  belong  not  to  Amesa.  Besides,  Al- 
bania will  be  better  served  by  your  occupation  of  the 
castle,  reviving  its  ancient  prestige,  and  proclaiming 
thus  that  the  reign  of  justice  has  been  restored  in  our 
land." 

"  But  let  justice  be  mingled  with  mercy,"  said  Mor- 
sinia. 

"  Nay,  the  mercy  would  dilute  the  quality  of  the 
justice." 

"  Can  there  be  no  mitigation  of  our  cousin  Amesa's 
fate,  which  shall  not  prejudice  the  right  ?"  asked  the 
fair  intercessor.  "  If  Jesu  prayed  to  his  Father  that 


*  The  price  of  blood ,  generally  1000  piastres  among  the  poorer 
classes,  which  was  paid  by  the  culprit  to  the  village  where  the 
crime  was  committed,  and  by  it  paid  to  the  general  government. 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.         397 

His  murderers  might  be  forgiven,  may  not  I  plead 
that  my  father,  the  father  of  his  country,  shall  be 
gracious  to  him  who  has  wronged  me  ?  " 

Castriot  was  absorbed  in  deep  thought.  At  length 
he  replied: 

"  Ah,  how  little  we  men,  schooled  to  revenge  and 
bloodshed,  know  what  justice  is,  and  what  mercy  is, 
as  these  sentiments  move  in  the  heart  of  the  Eternal ! 
Your  pure  soul,  my  child,  has  closer  kinship  with 
heaven  than  ours.  I  fear  to  deny  your  request,  lest  I 
should  offend  that  mysterious  Spirit  which  has  seemed 
to  counsel  me  since,  in  the  land  of  the  Moslems,  I 
swore  to  return  to  my  Christian  faith  ;  and  which,  in 
my  prayers  and  dreams,  has  been  strangely  associated 
with  you.  In  all  that  is  right  and  good  your  con- 
science shall  still  inspire  mine  :  for  you  are  my  good 
angel.  Amesa's  life  shall  be  spared.  But  no  breath 
of  his  must  so  much  as  taint  the  air  of  Albania.  I  am 
summoned  by  my  old  ally,  Ferdinand  of  Naples,  to 
assist  in  driving  the  French  from  his  domains.  Amesa 
shall  go  with  me,  and  be  kept  in  custody  among 
strangers.  But  it  must  be  proclaimed  from  the  cita- 
del of  Croia  that  his  life  is  restored  him  by  the  daughter 
of  Musache  de  Streeses. 

"  And  yet,  my  dear  child,"  continued  he,  "in  these 
rude  times  you  cannot  dwell  alone  in  the  castle.  You 
need  a  protector  who  is  not  only  wise  and  brave,  and 
loyal  to  Albania,  but  loyal  to  you.  My  duties  else- 
where will  prevent  my  rendering  that  service.  Colonel 
Kabilovitsch's  age  is  stealing  the  alertness  from  his 
energies.  Our  Constantine — Ah  !  Does  the  blush  tell 
that  I  am  right  ?  "  He  took  her  hand,  as  he  asked  : 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

"  May  I  exercise  the  father's  privilege,  according  to 
our  Albanian  custom,  and  put  this  hand  into  Constan- 
tine's,  to  keep  and  to  defend  ? " 

Morsinia  replied  frankly.  "  Since,  Sire,  I  may  not 
give  my  estates  to  my  country,  bestow  them  upon 
whom  you  will  ;  and  my  hand  must  go  to  him,  who, 
since  we  were  children,  has  held  my  heart." 

The  following  day,  as  the  sun  gilded  the  walls  of 
Croia  with  his  setting  rays,  an  immense  concourse  of 
soldiers  and  peasants  gathered  within  the  citadel 
court.  The  executioner  led  the  traitor,  followed  by  a 
priest,  out  upon  the  bastion.  A  trumpet  sounded, 
and  the  silence  which  followed  its  dying  note  was 
broken  by  the  voice  of  the  crier,  who  announced  that,  in 
the  name  of  God  and  the  sovereign  people,  and  by  the 
ordaining  of  George,  Duke  of  Albania,  the  decree  of 
justice  should  be  executed  upon  the  Voivode  Amesa. 
Then  followed  the  record  of  his  crimes,  together  with 
the  declaration  that  his  appearance  in  arms  among  the 
enemy,  having  been,  according  to  his  declaration,  not 
treason  against  his  country,  but  rebellion  against  the 
military  chieftaincy  of  Duke  George,  was  by  the  grace  of 
that  high  official  forgiven  ;  and  further  that  the  sentence 
of  death  for  his  foul  murder  of  Musache  De  Streeses 
and  his  wife  Mara  Cernoviche,  was,  through  the  inter- 
cession of  Mara,  sole  survivor  of  that  ancient  house, 
and  by  the  authority  of  Duke  George,  commuted  to 
perpetual  banishment  from  the  realm,  in  such  place 
and  condition  as  seemed  best  to  the  Duke  for  the 
security  of  the  land. 

The   people   stood  in  amazement  as  they  listened. 
The  relief  from  the  horror  of  the  anticipated  spectacle, 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.        399 

when  the  head  of  the  former  favorite  should  be  held 
up  by  the  executioner,  led  them  to  accept  compla- 
cently this  turn  in  affairs,  even  though  their  judg- 
ment did  not  commend  it.  In  a  few  moments  the  cry 
rose,  "  Live  Duke  George  !  A  Castriot  forever  !  " 
Soon  it  changed  to  wilder  enthusiasm,  "  Long  live 
Mara  De  Streeses  !  "  This  storm  of  applause  could 
not  be  stilled  until  Morsinia  premitted  herself  to  be 
led  by  Castriot  to  the  edge  of  the  battlement. 

As  the  sun  was  setting,  the  huge  mass  of  the  citadel 
rose  like  a  mighty  altar  from  the  bosom  of  the  gloom 
which  had  already  settled  about  its  base.  Slowly  the 
shadow  had  climbed  its  side,  crowding  the  last 
bright  ray  until  it  vanished  from  the  top  of  the 
parapet.  It  was  at  this  instant  that  Morsinia 
appeared.  The  citadel  beneath  her  was  sombre  as  the 
coming  night  which  enwrapped  it,  but  her  form  was 
radiant  in  the  lingering  splendor  of  the  departing  day. 
As  she  raised  her  hand  in  response  to  the  grateful 
clamor  of  the  people,  she  seemed  the  impersonation 
of  a  heavenly  benediction.  The  multitude  gazed  in 
reverent  silence  for  a  moment.  Then,  as  the  sun 
dropped  behind  the  western  hill,  veiling  the  glory  of 
this  apparition,  they  made  the  very  sky  resound  with 
their  shouts  ;  and  in  the  quick  gathering  darkness 
went  their  ways. 

A  few  weeks  later,  the  castle  of  De  Streeses  was 
decked  with  banners,  whose  bright  colors  rivalled  the 
late  autumnal  hues  of  the  forest  from  the  midst  of 
which  it  rose.  Multitudes  of  people  all  day  long 
thronged  the  paths  leading  up  to  it  from  the  valleys 
around.  Gorgeously  arrayed  voivodes,  accompanied 


400  THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

by  their  suites,  made  the  ravines  resound  with  their 
rattling  armor  ;  and  bands  of  peasants,  in  cheap  but 
gaudy  finery,  threaded  through  the  by  paths.  Those 
who  possessed  tents  brought  them.  Others,  upon  their 
arrival  in  the  proximity  of  the  castle,  erected  booths 
and  festooned  them  with  vines,  which  the  advancing 
season  had  painted  fiery  red  or  burst  into  gray  feathery 
plumes.  From  cleared  places  near  the  castle  walls  rose 
huge  spirals  of  smoke,  as  oxen  and  sheep,  quartered 
or  entire,  were  being  roasted,  to  feed  the  multitude  of 
guests  ;  while  great  casks  of  foaming  beer  and  ruddy 
sparkling  wine  excited  and  slaked  their  thirst.  The 
recent  defeat  of  the  Turks  had  led  to  the  withdrawal 
of  their  armies,  at  least  until  winter  should  have 
passed  :  and  the  people  of  the  northern  country  gave 
themselves  up  to  the  double  celebration  of  the  well- 
won  peace  and  the  nuptials  of  Mara  De  Streeses. 

Within  the  castle  the  great  and  the  dignified  of  the 
land  abandoned  themselves  to  equal  freedom  with 
the  peasants,  in  the  enjoyment  of  games,  and  the  observ- 
ance of  simple  and  fantastic  national  customs.  Mor- 
sinia  and  Constantine  kissed  again  through  the  ivy 
wreath,  as  in  the  days  of  childhood.  The  new  matron's 
distaff  touched  the  oaken  walls  of  the  great  dining 
hall ;  and  her  hand  spread  the  table  with  bread  and 
wine  and  water,  in  formal  assumption  of  her  office  as 
housewife.  When  she  undressed  and  dressed  again 
the  babe,  borrowed  from  a  neighboring  cottage,  she 
received  sundry  scoldings  and  many  saws  of  nursery 
advice  from  a  group  of  peasant  mothers.  The 
happy  couple  were  almost  buried  beneath  the  buckets 
of  grain,  which  some  of  the  guests  poured  over  them, 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.        4°i 

as  they  wished  them  all  the  blessings  of  the  soil. 
When  they  approached  the  fire  place  they  were  showered 
with  sparks,  as  some  one  struck  the  huge  glowing 
log  and  invoked  for  them  the  possession  of  herds  and 
flocks  and  friends  as  many  as  the  fireflecks  that  flew. 

Gifts  were  offered  :  those  of  the  poor  and  rich 
being  received  with  equal  grace  ; — a  rare  breed  of 
domestic  fowls  following  a  case  of  cutlery  from 
Toledo  in  Spain  ;  and  a  necklace  of  pearls  preced- 
ing a  hound  trained  by  some  skillful  hunter.  On 
opening  the  casket  which  Castriot  presented,  as  he 
kissed  the  golden  cluster  upon  the  forehead  of  the 
bride,  there  was  found  within  a  cap  of  sparkling 
gems,  such  as  is  worn  by  oriental  brides,  a  parchment 
commissioning  Constantine  as  a  voivode  in  the 
Albanian  service,  with  governor's  command  of  the 
Skadar  country. 

The  blessing  of  the  priest  was  supplemented  by 
those  of  the  old  men,  which  were  put  in  form  of 
prophecies.  Kabilovitsch  inclosed  the  happy  couple 
in  outstretched  arms,  and  gazing  long  into  their  faces, 
said: 

"  As  on  that  night  at  the  foot  of  the  Balkans  I 
wrapped  you,  my  children,  in  my  blanket,  and,  in  my 
absence,  another  greater  than  we  knew,  our  generous 
Castriot,  took  my  place  to  watch  over  you  ;  so  now,  as 
soon  I  must  leave  you  forever,  One  greater  than 
man  knows,  even  our  Covenant  God,  shall  be  your 
guardian  !  " 

A  man,  apparently  decrepit  with  the  weight  of  years, 
assumed  the  privilege  of  a  venerable  stranger  upon  such 
occasions,  and  came  to  utter  his  prophecy.  His  head 
26 


402         THE  CAPTAfJV  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

was  covered  with  a  close  fitting  fur  cap,  which  concealed 
his  brow  to  the  eyes.  Straggling  gray  locks  hung 
partly  over  his  face  and  down  his  neck.  As  he  spoke, 
Constantine  started  with  evident  amazement,  which 
was,  however,  instantly  checked.  The  bride  seemed 
strangely  fascinated.  Kabilovitsch,  who  had  been  too 
much  absorbed  with  his  own  thoughts  to  notice  the 
stranger's  approach,  lifted  his  head  quickly,  and  put 
his  hand  to  his  ear,  as  if  catching  some  faint  and 
distant  sound.  This  was  the  old  prophet's  bless- 
ing— 

"  Allah  ordains  that  these  walls,  consecrated  to 
Justice,  and  inhabited  by  Love,  shall  from  this  day  be 
guarded  by  Peace.  Even  the  Moslem's  sword  shall  be 
stayed  from  hence  !  " 

He  bowed  to  the  floor,  touching  with  his  lips  the 
spot  where  Morsinia  had  stood.  Before  the  guests 
could  fully  comprehend  this  scene,  he  was  gone.  But 
lying  on  the  floor  where  he  had  bowed  was  a  silken 
case,  elegantly  wrought.  Morsinia  uttered  a  subdued, 
yet  startled,  cry  as  she  seized  it.  The  gift  seemed  to 
have  thrown  a  spell  about  her  ;  for,  with  paled  cheeks, 
she  asked  that  she  might  retire  to  rest  awhile  in  her 
chamber. 

"  A  wjeshtize  !  "  cried  several,  looking  out  from 
the  door  through  which  the  man  had  passed. 

"  Heaven  grant  he  has  left  no  curse  !  "  exclaimed 
others. 

The  silken  case  contained  several  crystals  of  atar 
of  roses.  In  one  of  these,  which  was  larger  than  the 
others,  gleamed,  instead  of  the  perfumed  drop,  a 
splendid  diamond.  Upon  a  piece  of  parchment,  as 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES.          4°3 

fine  as  the  silk  of  which  the  case  was  made,  Morsinia 
read — 

"  My  pledge  to  give  my  life  for  thine  shall  be  kept 
when  need  requires — Meanwhile  know  that  the 
Padishah,  the  rightful  Lord  of  Albania,  has  bestowed 
this  castle  upon  Ballaban  Badera,  Aga  of  the  Jani- 
zaries, who  in  turn  bestows  it  upon  Mara  De  Streeses — 
"  Signed, 

"  MICHAEL." 


Our  story  has  covered  a  period  of  thirteen  years. 
For  eleven  years  more  the  genius  of  Scanderbeg, 
which  his  perhaps  too  partial  countrymen  used  to 
compare  to  that  of  Alexander  and  Pyrrhus,  withstood 
the  whole  power  of  the  Ottoman  Empire,  directed 
against  him  by  the  most  skilful  generals  of  the  age. 
Sinam  and  Assem,  Jusem  and  Caraza,  Seremet  and 
the  puissant  Sultan  Mahomet  himself  successively 
appeared  in  the  field  ;  but  retreated,  leaving  their  thou- 
sands of  slain  to  attest  the  invincibility  of  the  Alban- 
ian chief.  Only  one  Ottoman  commander  ventured 
to  return  for  a  second  campaign.  The  old  Latin 
chronicles  of  the  monk  Marinus  Barletius — who  records 
the  deeds  of  Castriot  in  thirteen  volumes — assign 
this  honorable  distinction  to  the  Janizary,  Ballaban 
Badera.  In  six  campaigns  this  redoubtable  warrior 
desolated  Albania.  From  Thessaly,  northward  over 
the  land,  poured  the  Moslem  tide,  but  it  stayed  itself 
at  the  waters  of  Skadar  ;  and,  as  if  fate  had  approved 
the  prophecy  of  the  aged  stranger  at  the  nuptials  of 
Constantine  and  Morsinia,  the  castle  of  De  Streeses. 


404          THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  JANIZARIES. 

during  all  these  terrible  years,  looked  down  upon  blood- 
less  fields.  Though  his  lands  were  ravaged,  the  courage 
of  Castriot  was  not  wearied,  nor  was  his  genius  baffled, 
until,  in  the  year  1467,  there  came  upon  him  a  mightier 
than  Ballaban,  a  mightier  than  Mahomet.  In  the 
presence  of  the  last  enemy  he  commended  his  country  to 
the  valor  of  his  voivodes,  his  family  to  the  protection  of 
friends,*  and  his  soul  to  the  grace  of  Jesu,  his  Saviour. 
They  buried  him  in  the  old  church  at  Lyssa.  Years 
after,  no  Scanderbeg  succeeding  Scanderbeg,  the 
Turks  possessed  the  land.  They  dug  up  his  bones, 
and,  inclosing  their  fragments  in  silver  and  gold, 
wore  them  as  amulets.  Pashas  and  Viziers  esteemed 
themselves  happy,  even  in  subsequent  centuries,  if 
they  might  so  much  as  touch  a  bone  of  Scanderbeg; 
"  For  perchance,"  they  said,  "  there  may  thus  be 
imparted  to  us  some  of  that  valor  and  skill  which 
in  him  were  invincible  by  the  might  of  men." 

*  Castriot  married  late  in  life. 


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